University of Wisconsin-Superior — ROI, Cost & Payback
University of Wisconsin-Superior charges a net price of $12,220/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $48,880. Graduates earn a median $49,606 ten years after entry, $1,246/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 39.2 years — a 20-year net return of -$23,960, a weak return — the cost is hard to justify on earnings alone. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
University of Wisconsin-Superior's 39.2-year payback ranks #1,166 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 9% of them, and #29 of 53 in Wisconsin.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $12,220/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $48,880 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $49,606 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $1,246/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $22,500 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 39.2 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | -$23,960 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on University of Wisconsin-Superior's own numbers. Net price $12,220 × 4 years = $48,880 total. Median earnings $49,606 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $1,246 a year of premium. $48,880 ÷ $1,246 = 39.2 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves -$23,960. 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-Superior students graduate with?
A median $22,500 in federal loans among completers, or 45% of the $49,606 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-Superior students graduate?
42% finish their degree — 58% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $48,880 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $116,381 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is University of Wisconsin-Superior expensive compared with other Wisconsin colleges?
Its $12,220 net price runs $2,973 below the $15,193 median across the 53 Wisconsin colleges we profile, and $11,892 less across the full degree.