University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee vs University of Wisconsin-Stout: which has better ROI?
University of Wisconsin-Stout has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $69,960 in 7.2 years versus 9.1 years at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, on median earnings of $58,084 vs $54,990 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee | University of Wisconsin-Stout |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $15,014 | $17,490 |
| Total net cost | $60,056 | $69,960 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $54,990 | $58,084 |
| Median debt | $23,000 | $23,000 |
| Payback | 9.1 yrs | 7.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $72,544 | $124,520 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee or University of Wisconsin-Stout?
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, at $15,014 a year after aid versus $17,490 — a gap of $2,476 a year, or $9,904 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee or University of Wisconsin-Stout graduates earn more?
University of Wisconsin-Stout graduates report a median $58,084 ten years after entry, $3,094 more than the $54,990 at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. 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, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee or University of Wisconsin-Stout?
Completers at both borrow a median $23,000, so neither school has the debt advantage. That figure covers federal loans of students who finished — borrowers who leave early are not counted, and private loans sit outside it.
Which graduates more of its students?
55% of students finish at University of Wisconsin-Stout, against 49% at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. 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.