Best Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Degrees in Wisconsin by ROI
Colleges in Wisconsin ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment — calculated from median graduate earnings, total attendance cost, and average student debt. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs in Wisconsin
12
Colleges with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
-$220,002
Across Wisconsin programs
Average Annual Cost
$18,595
Cost of attendance
| # | College | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Grad rate: 70.5% |
-$76,750 | $39,974 | $18,115 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 2 | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Flex | -$156,565 | $34,894 | N/A | $10,700 | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
Nicolet Area Technical College
Grad rate: 47.6% |
-$160,945 | $35,918 | $14,084 | $8,250 | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Grad rate: 49.6% |
-$200,913 | $34,894 | $22,174 | $10,700 | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
Madison Area Technical College
Grad rate: 24.4% |
-$204,450 | $34,444 | $17,215 | $14,000 | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
Grad rate: 57.7% |
-$226,063 | $33,407 | $19,063 | $11,909 | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Grad rate: 66.4% |
-$251,728 | $32,332 | $21,014 | $12,104 | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
Grad rate: 56.0% |
-$255,508 | $31,915 | $18,804 | $12,000 | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
Milwaukee Area Technical College
Grad rate: 19.7% |
-$267,520 | $31,310 | $17,209 | $14,298 | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
University of Wisconsin-Platteville
Grad rate: 61.3% |
-$269,409 | $31,336 | $20,049 | $11,875 | Full ROI → |
| 11 |
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
Grad rate: 52.7% |
-$278,772 | $30,620 | $18,161 | $11,000 | Full ROI → |
| 12 |
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Grad rate: 62.9% |
-$291,402 | $30,106 | $18,661 | $12,000 | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost (annual cost × programme years) − Debt Payoff (avg debt × 1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20 = $840,000)
A positive ROI means a degree in this field pays off relative to entering the workforce without one. Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.
Find Best Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Degrees by State
Browse Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities programs ranked by 20-year ROI in every state that offers this degree.