Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater vs University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh: which has better ROI?

Public, Whitewater WI · vs · Public, Oshkosh WI

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $57,220 in 8 years versus 8.1 years at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, on median earnings of $55,548 vs $55,356 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureUniversity of Wisconsin-WhitewaterUniversity of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
Net price / yr$14,158$14,305
Total net cost$56,632$57,220
Median earnings, 10 yrs$55,356$55,548
Median debt$23,188$21,500
Payback8.1 yrs8 yrs
20-year net return$83,288$86,540

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater or University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh?

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, at $14,158 a year after aid versus $14,305 — a gap of $147 a year, or $588 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-Whitewater or University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh graduates earn more?

University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh graduates report a median $55,548 ten years after entry, $192 more than the $55,356 at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. 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-Whitewater or University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh?

University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh: its completers carry a median $21,500 in federal loans versus $23,188 at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, a difference of $1,688. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

59% of students finish at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, against 46% at University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. 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.

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater vs University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh: frequently asked questions

Is University of Wisconsin-Whitewater or University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh a better value?
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. It clears its $57,220 net cost in about 8 years versus 8.1 years at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, on median earnings of $55,548 vs $55,356 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater or University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh?
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater: $14,158/yr net price after aid versus $14,305/yr at University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh — a difference of $147 a year, or about $588 over four years.
Do University of Wisconsin-Whitewater or University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh graduates earn more?
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh graduates earn a median $55,548 ten years after entry, versus $55,356 at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater — a $192 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.