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Head-to-head comparison

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee vs University of Wisconsin-Stout: which has better ROI?

Public, Milwaukee WI · vs · Public, Menomonie WI

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

Option A Milwaukee, WI

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Net price / year
$15,014
Earnings, 10 years
$54,990
Payback
9.1 yrs

Option B Menomonie, WI

University of Wisconsin-Stout

Net price / year
$17,490
Earnings, 10 years
$58,084
Payback
7.2 yrs
The verdict

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.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeUniversity 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
Payback9.1 yrs7.2 yrs
20-year net return$72,544$124,520

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

The short answer

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.

The short answer

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.

The short answer

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.

The short answer

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.

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee vs University of Wisconsin-Stout: frequently asked questions

Is University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee or University of Wisconsin-Stout a better value?
University of Wisconsin-Stout. It clears its $69,960 net cost in about 7.2 years versus 9.1 years at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, on median earnings of $58,084 vs $54,990 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee or University of Wisconsin-Stout?
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee: $15,014/yr net price after aid versus $17,490/yr at University of Wisconsin-Stout — a difference of $2,476 a year, or about $9,904 over four years.
Do University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee or University of Wisconsin-Stout graduates earn more?
University of Wisconsin-Stout graduates earn a median $58,084 ten years after entry, versus $54,990 at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee — a $3,094 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.