Mapping the Money: Analyzing the Value of a UW Education Ryan Alme Geography 401 Spring 2015

Exigence - $300 Million in Budget Cuts to UW System -Divisive Issue -UW Eau Claire’s share is $4.5 million -Looking at the Numbers -Unbiased Backgrounder

Research Questions What are the levels of student debt? What are the dropout/retention rates? What employment are graduates finding? Does major play a significant role in job outlook? Scales National Level by State Midwest Level by Major Universities State Level by UW Schools

Hypotheses Wisconsin will fare better than national state average. Wisconsin Universities will fare better than their Midwest neighbors. UW- Eau Claire will fare better than other UW schools.

Geographic Traditions & Standards Spatial Tradition- Using mapping and interpretation to communicate information. First Standard- How to use maps and other geographical representations and technologies to communicate information. Area Studies Tradition- Using mapping and interpretation to communicate information. Fifth Standard- People create regions to interpret the earth’s complexity.

Data Student Debt The Institute for College Access & Success (TICAS) “The Project on Student Debt” Organized by state and university TICAS data for UWEC

Data Dropout Rates The National Center for Higher Education Management Systems (NCHEMS) Number of graduating freshmen over number of incoming Freshmen. NCHEMS Data by State

Data Graduate Employment UW Eau Claire “After Eau Claire” Post Graduate Report Center for College Affordability and Productivity (CCAP) UWEC Post Graduate Employment Data CCAP Underemployment Data