Head-to-head comparison
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay vs Ripon College: which has better ROI?
Option A Green Bay, WI
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
- Net price / year
- $13,369
- Earnings, 10 years
- $52,528
- Payback
- 12.8 yrs
Option B Ripon, WI
Ripon College
- Net price / year
- $20,216
- Earnings, 10 years
- $54,902
- Payback
- 12.4 yrs
Ripon College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $80,864 in 12.4 years versus 12.8 years at University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, on median earnings of $54,902 vs $52,528 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Wisconsin-Green Bay | Ripon College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,369 | $20,216 |
| Total net cost | $53,476 | $80,864 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $52,528 | $54,902 |
| Median debt | $18,500 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 12.8 yrs | 12.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $29,884 | $49,976 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay or Ripon College?
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, at $13,369 a year after aid versus $20,216 — a gap of $6,847 a year, or $27,388 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do University of Wisconsin-Green Bay or Ripon College graduates earn more?
Ripon College graduates report a median $54,902 ten years after entry, $2,374 more than the $52,528 at University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. 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.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay or Ripon College?
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay: its completers carry a median $18,500 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Ripon College, a difference of $8,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
63% of students finish at Ripon College, against 48% at University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. 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.