Science Technologies/Technicians at University of Wisconsin-Stout

These numbers need careful interpretation—UW-Stout appears to be the only Wisconsin school reporting data for this specific program, and with fewer than 30 graduates tracked, individual circumstances can heavily skew the results. The $32,099 first-year salary lands in the 5th percentile nationally for science technology programs, where the typical graduate earns $59,366. That's a concerning gap, though the relatively manageable $27,000 debt load (below the national median) keeps the situation from being dire. The 0.84 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe roughly 10 months' salary, which is workable if earnings grow.

The real question is what's driving such low initial earnings compared to peer programs elsewhere. It could reflect regional wage differences in Wisconsin, the specific technical focus of UW-Stout's curriculum, or simply statistical noise from a tiny cohort. Without other Wisconsin programs to compare against or details on what jobs these graduates take, it's impossible to know whether this represents a skills mismatch or just typical entry-level positioning in this field.

If your student is considering this program, dig deeper into the career placement specifics and salary progression. The modest debt gives graduates breathing room, but starting at roughly half the national median for this degree type suggests either a very different career path than other programs or a real earnings limitation. With such a small sample, talk directly to the department about typical outcomes before committing.