Business Administration, Management and Operations at Viterbo University

Viterbo's business program charges more than typical Wisconsin alternatives yet delivers middle-of-the-pack results for the state. While graduates earn $53,852 in their first year—solidly above the national median—they're landing right around Wisconsin's median of $52,521, meaning they're not capturing the premium you'd expect given the higher debt load. Among Wisconsin's 37 business programs, this ranks at the 60th percentile: respectable, but trailing flagship schools like UW-Madison ($67,699) and even some regional competitors by $5,000-7,000 annually.

The debt picture tells a more favorable story. At $30,975, graduates carry about $4,000 more than the Wisconsin median, but the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.58 remains manageable—graduates need less than seven months of gross income to cover their total borrowing. Earnings also grow steadily, reaching $62,410 by year four, which suggests the degree opens doors to career progression rather than dead-end entry positions.

For families choosing between Viterbo and larger Wisconsin public universities, understand the tradeoff: you're paying for the small-school experience and personalized attention that comes with a 73% admission rate, but not necessarily for higher earnings. If your student thrives in intimate classroom settings and values Viterbo's Catholic identity, the modest premium may justify itself. If maximizing early earnings is the priority, UW-Oshkosh delivers similar outcomes at likely lower in-state costs.