Economics at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

UW-Whitewater's economics program starts roughly $5,000 below both state and national medians for first-year earnings, landing in just the 40th percentile among Wisconsin economics programs. While graduates recover ground over time—median earnings climb 44% to reach $66,835 by year four—this trajectory still trails stronger in-state options like UW-Oshkosh (which starts at $57,663) and flagship Madison. The $21,698 debt load is reasonable and slightly below Wisconsin's median, yielding a manageable 0.47 debt-to-earnings ratio that won't create financial stress early in graduates' careers.

The critical caveat here is sample size: fewer than 30 graduates reported data, making these figures less reliable than programs with larger cohorts. This could mean the numbers swing significantly year to year, or that many economics majors pursue paths where earnings aren't captured in this data. For an accessible state school with an 83% admission rate, the program offers solid fundamentals without excessive debt, but parents should recognize their student would likely start further behind peers from higher-ranked Wisconsin programs.

The practical takeaway: if your child can gain admission to UW-Madison, UW-Oshkosh, or UW-La Crosse for similar cost, those programs show stronger early earnings. But if Whitewater is the best fit academically or financially, the modest debt and eventual earnings growth suggest graduates can build stable careers—just expect a slower start than the typical Wisconsin economics grad.