Analysis
The debt-to-earnings math here looks promising on paper—with similar programs nationally suggesting around $66,600 in first-year earnings against roughly $24,700 in debt, this translates to manageable monthly payments of about $275 over ten years, or just 5% of gross monthly income. That's well within the affordable range for a technical bachelor's degree. The challenge is that Wisconsin has only one school offering this particular credential, making it difficult to gauge how UW-Stout's specific outcomes compare to state peers.
What peer programs nationally indicate is that engineering technology graduates typically land solidly in the middle class straight out of college, with the field offering stable career trajectories in manufacturing, quality control, and technical management roles. The estimated debt level sits right at the national median for this program, suggesting UW-Stout's costs align with similar institutions. For a family weighing this investment, the 0.37 debt-to-earnings ratio beats many bachelor's programs and suggests reasonable financial risk—assuming your student is genuinely interested in hands-on technical work rather than pure engineering design.
The key limitation: without reported outcomes specific to UW-Stout, you're betting on the school's engineering technology program performing like its national counterparts. That's not unreasonable given UW-Stout's polytechnic focus, but visit campus, talk to employers who hire graduates, and verify internship placement rates before committing. The financial fundamentals look sound based on what similar programs deliver elsewhere.
Where University of Wisconsin-Stout Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all engineering technologies/technicians bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Engineering Technologies/Technicians bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 University of Wisconsin-StoutMenomonie | $10,142 | $66,626* | — | $24,736* | — |
 California State University Maritime AcademyVallejo | $7,672 | $115,589* | — | $27,000* | 0.23 |
 Maine Maritime AcademyCastine | $14,746 | $98,488* | $104,327 | $27,000* | 0.27 |
 Daytona State CollegeDaytona Beach | $3,106 | $73,572* | $55,610 | $23,319* | 0.32 |
 East Carolina UniversityGreenville | $7,361 | $72,022* | $78,175 | $22,115* | 0.31 |
 Old Dominion UniversityNorfolk | $12,262 | $70,620* | $75,927 | $25,000* | 0.35 |
| National Median | — | $66,626* | — | $25,000* | 0.38 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At University of Wisconsin-Stout, approximately 23% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 14 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.