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University of Wisconsin-Parkside
Most applicants get into University of Wisconsin-Parkside — 75.4% were admitted — so the real questions are cost, fit and outcomes, covered below.
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University of Wisconsin-Parkside anchors the college town of Kenosha, WI, where the public campus and town largely share a footprint.
Its highest-earning path is Computer Science, where graduates median $89,495 four years out. Faculty pay averages $100,656 a year here — a rough proxy for what the school spends on the teaching itself. Most of its 2,844 undergraduates commute — campus empties by evening — yet 68.7% of first-years return, which says something about what daytime here is worth.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 18 and 25 on the ACT composite. Put your own practice estimate on University of Wisconsin-Parkside's range with the ACT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
University of Wisconsin-Parkside is test-optional — scores count when submitted, none required. University of Wisconsin-Parkside's submitters' middle half scored 18–25 on the ACT; read that as the stronger-tester end of the admitted class.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Composite | 18 | 21 | 25 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
In the Fall 2023 cycle, University of Wisconsin-Parkside received 3,911 applications and admitted 2,840 (72.6%), with 565 enrolling.
How University of Wisconsin-Parkside compares
| University of Wisconsin-Parkside | Wisconsin median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 75.4% | 81.5% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $8,270 | $33,396 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $51,129 | $55,452 | $53,781 |
Ten years out, University of Wisconsin-Parkside's median earnings are $51,129 — below the Wisconsin benchmark of $55,452. Weigh that against the $8,270 price above; the by-major table shows majors drive much of this gap.
Cost, size & completion
As a public university, University of Wisconsin-Parkside prices by residency: $8,270 in-state versus $17,429 out-of-state — a $9,159 gap that makes state lines part of the decision.
University of Wisconsin-Parkside enrolls 2,844 undergraduates — mid-sized, with the trade-offs University of Wisconsin-Parkside's scale implies: more programs than a small college, more anonymity too.
40.4% graduate within six years. Roughly 60% don't — ask a University of Wisconsin-Parkside tour guide what happens to them and watch the answer carefully.
Top majors by earnings at University of Wisconsin-Parkside
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Computer Science | $89,495 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $70,370 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | $67,130 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $64,177 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $63,554 |
| Marketing | $62,014 |
| Biology, General | $60,928 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $56,790 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $55,240 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $54,156 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $53,923 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $47,123 |
| Psychology, General | $46,647 |
| Sociology | $46,005 |
| History | $42,349 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $40,410 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $37,110 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $34,689 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $31,577 |
Median earnings for these 19 University of Wisconsin-Parkside programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $51,129 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 22 additional University of Wisconsin-Parkside programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for University of Wisconsin-Parkside?
The middle 50% of University of Wisconsin-Parkside's submitters earned ACT composites of 18–25; no GPA cutoff is published.
What is University of Wisconsin-Parkside's acceptance rate?
72.6% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 2,840 admitted from 3,911 applicants.
How much does University of Wisconsin-Parkside cost?
In-state tuition is $8,270; out-of-state students pay $17,429. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.
What do University of Wisconsin-Parkside graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $51,129 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in Wisconsin
- Wisconsin Lutheran College — 78.2% admitted
- University of Wisconsin-La Crosse — 75.5% admitted
- University of Wisconsin-River Falls — 81.7% admitted
- University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire — 82.3% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.