Gateway Technical College vs University of Wisconsin-Parkside: which has better ROI?
University of Wisconsin-Parkside has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $47,088 in 17 years versus not at all at Gateway Technical College, on median earnings of $51,129 vs $40,264 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Gateway Technical College | University of Wisconsin-Parkside |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,928 | $11,772 |
| Total net cost | $51,712 | $47,088 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $40,264 | $51,129 |
| Median debt | $12,165 | $20,492 |
| Payback | — | 17 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$213,632 | $8,292 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Gateway Technical College or University of Wisconsin-Parkside?
University of Wisconsin-Parkside, at $11,772 a year after aid versus $12,928 — a gap of $1,156 a year, or $4,624 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Gateway Technical College or University of Wisconsin-Parkside graduates earn more?
University of Wisconsin-Parkside graduates report a median $51,129 ten years after entry, $10,865 more than the $40,264 at Gateway Technical College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Gateway Technical College or University of Wisconsin-Parkside?
Gateway Technical College: its completers carry a median $12,165 in federal loans versus $20,492 at University of Wisconsin-Parkside, a difference of $8,327. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
51% of students finish at Gateway Technical College, against 40% at University of Wisconsin-Parkside. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.