Analysis
Based on comparable education programs in Wisconsin, UW-Whitewater appears positioned in the middle of the pack—similar programs suggest first-year earnings around $43,318 with debt near $25,000. That 0.58 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates would owe roughly seven months of their starting salary, which is manageable for a teaching credential. The earnings hold fairly steady between year one and year four at around $43,500, reflecting the compressed pay scales common in education careers.
What's harder to assess is where exactly UW-Whitewater stands among Wisconsin's 16 education programs. Peer institutions with reported data show considerable variation: UW-Platteville graduates earn about $50,500 in their first year, while UW-Milwaukee and UW-Green Bay cluster closer to the state median. Without this school's actual graduate outcomes, it's unclear whether UW-Whitewater's program tracks closer to the stronger performers or the weaker ones in the UW system.
For families, the key question is whether these estimated figures justify the investment. The debt load appears reasonable, and the earnings exceed the national median for education degrees by about $5,000. However, you're essentially betting on state-level averages rather than verified outcomes from this specific campus. If teaching in Wisconsin is the goal and the estimated numbers hold true, this could work financially—just understand you're making that decision with less certainty than programs where actual graduate data is available.
Where University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all education bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Wisconsin-Whitewater | — | $43,554 | — |
| University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee | $43,867 | $44,161 | +1% |
| University of Wisconsin-Platteville | $50,540 | $41,733 | -17% |
| University of Wisconsin-Green Bay | $42,768 | $39,768 | -7% |
| Beloit College | $33,493 | $35,797 | +7% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Wisconsin
Education bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Wisconsin (16 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 University of Wisconsin-WhitewaterWhitewater | $8,250 | $43,318* | $43,554 | $25,000* | — |
 University of Wisconsin-PlattevillePlatteville | $8,315 | $50,540* | $41,733 | $25,000* | 0.49 |
 University of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeMilwaukee | $10,020 | $43,867* | $44,161 | $30,990* | 0.71 |
 University of Wisconsin-Green BayGreen Bay | $8,342 | $42,768* | $39,768 | $23,250* | 0.54 |
 Beloit CollegeBeloit | $58,554 | $33,493* | $35,797 | $24,456* | 0.73 |
| National Median | — | $38,660* | — | $26,522* | 0.69 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with education graduates
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-Whitewater, approximately 25% 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 median of 4 similar programs in WI. Actual outcomes may vary.