Polymer/Plastics Engineering at University of Wisconsin-Stout

UW-Stout's polymer engineering graduates start their careers earning $75,800—outpacing the national median by about $2,000 and landing in the 72nd percentile nationally. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.31 means graduates carry roughly four months of salary in debt, which is manageable by any standard. This is one of only eight schools nationwide offering this specialized degree, and the strong starting salary reflects genuine industry demand for these skills. Wisconsin has no other polymer engineering programs to compare against, but the combination of above-average earnings and below-average debt positions graduates well.

The major caveat here is sample size—fewer than 30 graduates means these numbers could swing significantly year to year. Polymer engineering is a niche field, which explains both the limited program availability and the small cohorts. However, the earnings data aligns with what you'd expect from a technical manufacturing specialty in a state with a strong industrial base. UW-Stout's 85% acceptance rate and focus on applied learning make it accessible while still delivering solid career outcomes.

For families willing to accept some uncertainty around the numbers, this looks like a practical path into specialized manufacturing. The combination of modest debt, strong first-year earnings, and a focused technical skillset suggests graduates enter the workforce ready to contribute—and get paid accordingly. Just understand you're evaluating a small data set from a program serving a specific industrial niche.