International/Global Studies at University of Wisconsin - Whitewater
WI · Bachelor's Degree · CIP 30.20
Executive Summary
Graduates with a International/Global Studies degree from University of Wisconsin - Whitewater earn a median salary of $45,933 within five years of graduation. Adjusted for the cost of living in WI, this represents a national purchasing power equivalent of $48,300. The degree typically pays for itself in 13.3 years.
Quick Insights
How this degree looks at a glance
A fast read on salary range, break-even speed, living-cost impact, and where graduates from this school usually land.
Salary Ranges
Starting Range
$34,275
Typical Career
$45,933
Top Performers
$60,466
Estimated break-even: 13.3 years.
Debt-to-Income Check
$306
Estimated comfortable monthly loan payment
Typical monthly pay is approximately $3,828. Most students can comfortably afford about a $306 monthly loan payment with this degree.
Comparison Bench
This degree earns 1.2x more than the average US high school graduate and 0.6x more than the average college graduate.
Purchasing Power Context
A dollar in Wisconsin buys what costs $0.95 nationally.
Industry Breadcrumbs
Top industries for bachelor's graduates from this school: Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance, Manufacturing.
Where Bachelor's Graduates from This School Work
Institution-wide industry mix for graduates, 5 years after graduation. This is not major-specific. Source: Census PSEO Flows.
5-Year Median Salary — National Purchasing Power Equivalent
$48,300
Nominal: $45,933 in Wisconsin (COL 95.1% of national avg) · 5.2% higher purchasing power
10-Year Earnings Curve
Break-Even Timeline
How long until cumulative earnings advantage exceeds total college investment (tuition + opportunity cost vs. entering workforce directly after high school).
Total Investment
$155,168
4yr tuition + 4yr opportunity cost
HS Graduate Baseline
$38,792/yr
BLS 2023 median, HS diploma
View Raw Data: Median Earnings by Year
| Timeframe | 25th Pct. | Median (50th) | 75th Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Year After Graduation | $26,571 | $34,622 | $46,746 |
| 5 Years After Graduation | $34,275 | $45,933 | $60,466 |
| 10 Years After Graduation | $46,298 | $59,848 | $89,458 |
Source: US Census Bureau Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO), 2025 release. Earnings shown for Bachelor's degree graduates (all cohorts combined).
How We Calculate Purchasing Power
The median salary of $45,933 is reported by the US Census Bureau's Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO) dataset for graduates working in WI, which has a cost-of-living index of 95.1% of the national average.
Formula: Adjusted Salary = Nominal × (1.0 ÷ COL Index)
= $45,933 × (1.0 ÷ 0.9510)
= $48,300 National Average equivalent.
COL index source: BLS Regional Consumer Price Index & MIT Living Wage Project, 2023. Full methodology →
Career Verdict
The top industries for graduates include Educational Services (18.5%), Health Care & Social Assistance (11.5%), and Manufacturing (10.9%), suggesting a diverse range of career opportunities. The estimated break-even point for pursuing a degree versus entering the workforce with only a high school diploma is approximately 13.3 years, indicating a reasonable return on investment for those who complete their studies. Overall, while the earnings may not be exceptionally high initially, the long-term growth potential and industry diversity present a favorable outlook for graduates in this field.
Compare with Another School
See how the International/Global Studies degree at University of Wisconsin - Whitewater stacks up against another institution side-by-side.
Ready to apply?
Start your application for International/Global Studies at University of Wisconsin - Whitewater.
Explore More
Other Degrees at University of Wisconsin - Whitewater
Data sources: US Census Bureau Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO). Cost-of-living index: BLS Regional CPI & MIT Living Wage Project. Cost of attendance: IPEDS. For informational use only; data may be suppressed for small cohort sizes.