Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

The biggest story here isn't what students earn—it's what they don't owe. UW-Whitewater's entrepreneurship graduates carry just $18,785 in debt, roughly $5,300 below the national median for this program. While the $45,373 starting salary sits right at the national median, that debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.41 means graduates face less than half their first-year salary in student loans—a manageable burden that gives them actual runway to take business risks or pursue ventures without crushing monthly payments.

Among Wisconsin's eight schools offering this degree, UW-Whitewater performs solidly at the 60th percentile for earnings, but here's the catch: the sample size is small, meaning these numbers could shift significantly with more data. Still, the combination of accessible admission (83% acceptance rate), reasonable costs, and middle-of-the-pack earnings suggests this program delivers what it promises without financial gymnastics.

For parents worried about funding their child's entrepreneurial dreams, this program won't saddle them with the kind of debt that forces graduates into safe corporate jobs. The relatively low borrowing gives graduates options—whether that's launching a startup, joining a small business, or taking a lower-paying opportunity with growth potential. Just recognize these numbers represent a small cohort, so individual outcomes may vary more than at programs with larger graduating classes.