Cost & ROI · 2026
Is University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee worth it?
Pay $15,014/yr after aid. Graduates earn a median of $54,990 ten years out — about 3.7× the annual cost. EduGradify value grade: B.
The ROI math, in 30 seconds
Benchmarks
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee vs Wisconsin avg vs national avg
How this school stacks up against the typical Wisconsin college and the typical US college.
| Metric | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee | Wisconsin avg | National avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg net price | ▲ $15,014 | $20,030 | $18,467 |
| Median earnings 10y | ▲ $54,990 | $54,525 | $50,834 |
| Median debt | ▼ $23,000 | $23,386 | $19,694 |
| Graduation rate | ▼ 49.3% | 57.6% | 49.9% |
| Acceptance rate | ▲ 90.7% | 78.7% | 72.3% |
Hidden cost
What you actually pay, by family income
Net price after grants and scholarships changes a lot depending on family income. Find your bracket.
Total cost
4-year cost projection
Estimated net price each year through graduation, assuming a typical 3% annual tuition increase.
Sticker price (without aid) would run roughly $91,024 over four years. Most students get $7,742/yr in grants and scholarships.
Debt math
Loan repayment scenarios
If you borrow the median $23,000 at a 6.5% federal rate, here's what each repayment plan looks like.
Debt-to-earnings: 42% of one year's median pay. Financial advisors recommend keeping student debt under 100% of expected first-year salary. You're well below that threshold.
Lifetime impact
Lifetime earnings boost vs no degree
Over a typical 40-year career, the median University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee grad earns about $399,600 more than a high school graduate (assuming HS median ≈ $45k/yr, BLS).
Caveat: this is a population median, not a guarantee. Actual outcomes vary widely by major, career path, and individual choices. We're showing the median to set realistic expectations.
The verdict
What the numbers say about University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
The average student at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee pays $15,014 a year after grants and scholarships, against a $22,756 published sticker price. That is below the WI average net price of $20,030.
Ten years after entry, graduates earn a median of $54,990 — above the WI median of $54,525. Weighed against what students actually pay, EduGradify models this as an exceptional investment.
Typical graduates borrow about $23,000, roughly $250 a month on a standard ten-year plan — a moderate load at about 42% of one year's median earnings.
Smart alternatives
Cheaper Wisconsin colleges with comparable outcomes
Same state, at least 20% lower net price, with earnings within reach of University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Frequently asked
Cost & ROI questions
What is the net price at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee?
The average net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $15,014 per year. That's $7,742/yr in financial aid against the $22,756 sticker price. Over four years, that adds up to roughly $60,056.
How much do University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee graduates earn a median of $54,990 per year — above the national average of $50,834. That's about 3.7× the annual net cost.
How much debt do University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee graduates take on?
Median federal loan debt at graduation is $23,000 — about $250/month on a standard 10-year repayment plan (assuming a 6.5% federal rate). 41.5% of students take federal loans.
Is University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee worth the cost?
EduGradify assigns University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee a value grade of B — top 35% on real ROI nationally. The math: pay $15,014/yr, earn $54,990/yr ten years out, ROI score of 9.16. Exceptional Investment.
What financial aid is available at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee?
32.8% of students receive federal Pell Grants (need-based federal aid). 41.5% take federal student loans. On average, students get $7,742 per year in grants and scholarships off the sticker price.
What's the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee?
In-state tuition is $10,398 per year. Out-of-state tuition is $22,398 per year — a difference of $12,000/yr or $48,000 over four years.
How does net price change with family income at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee?
Net price is income-adjusted — lower-income families typically pay much less. Students from families earning under $30k pay about $10,329. Students from families earning over $110k pay about $21,477. See the chart below for all five income bands.
How we calculate ROI
Every number on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI score = (median earnings 10 years out × 10) / (avg net price × 4). The higher the ratio, the more graduates earn per dollar invested. We then percentile-rank every US college on that score to assign letter grades A+ through D. Read the full methodology →