University of Wisconsin-Parkside — ROI, Cost & Payback
University of Wisconsin-Parkside charges a net price of $11,772/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $47,088. Graduates earn a median $51,129 ten years after entry, $2,769/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 17 years — a 20-year net return of $8,292, a slow but positive payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
University of Wisconsin-Parkside's 17-year payback ranks #1,010 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 21% of them, and #24 of 53 in Wisconsin.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $11,772/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $47,088 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $51,129 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $2,769/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $20,492 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 17 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $8,292 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on University of Wisconsin-Parkside's own numbers. Net price $11,772 × 4 years = $47,088 total. Median earnings $51,129 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $2,769 a year of premium. $47,088 ÷ $2,769 = 17 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $8,292. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do University of Wisconsin-Parkside students graduate with?
A median $20,492 in federal loans among completers, or 40% of the $51,129 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of University of Wisconsin-Parkside students graduate?
40% finish their degree — 60% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $47,088 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $117,720 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is University of Wisconsin-Parkside expensive compared with other Wisconsin colleges?
Its $11,772 net price runs $3,421 below the $15,193 median across the 53 Wisconsin colleges we profile, and $13,684 less across the full degree.