What You Should Know About Graduating From College in Wisconsin
Career potential is a valuable factor to consider when choosing where you want to go to school. With a bachelor’s degree from a Wisconsin college, your career outlook is bright. The state has a lower than average unemployment rate, and the fastest-growing occupations for workers with a bachelor’s degree are materials scientists, logisticians, data scientists, medical and health services managers, and actuaries.
In 2022, the top five industries employing the most people in Wisconsin were goods-producing; trade, transportation, and utilities; manufacturing; education and health services; and government.
To get a sense of what your employment prospects might look like after graduation, here are five of the 150 largest employers in Wisconsin: University of Wisconsin-Madison, Bombardier Recreational Products, Menard Inc., Epic Systems Corporation, and ThedaCare Inc. With proximity to Illinois and Minnesota, residents of Wisconsin benefit from additional employment opportunities in the metro areas of Chicago and Minneapolis-St. Paul.
What’s Next?
Financing a college education is a big responsibility, but assistance is available. Here are some state and federal resources to help you understand the many different financial aid types available in Wisconsin.
- Wisconsin Higher Educational Aids Board. The Higher Educational Aids Board (HEAB) administers state-funded financial aid in Wisconsin. This includes gift aid (grants and scholarships that don’t need to be repaid), loans, tuition capitation, and tuition reciprocity programs with other states.
- Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Each year the U.S. Department of Education awards more than $120 billion in scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study jobs to help students pay for college. To estimate your eligibility for federal student aid, visit the FAFSA4caster. Because funds are limited, it’s important to submit your FAFSA application form by the priority deadline set by your state and college.
- CareerOneStop. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, CareerOneStop lists more than 8,000 financial aid opportunities, including scholarships, grants, prizes, fellowships, and more. Narrow your search by using the filters for degree level and state where you plan to study.