Compare 12 Acting. programs in Wisconsin. Average earnings: $28,044.
With top graduates earning $38,463, Acting stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $10K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
The data puts University of Wisconsin-Madison first, with Acting graduates earning $38,463. Close behind, University of Wisconsin-River Falls produces graduates earning $36,594 despite an 82% acceptance rate—demonstrating how regional publics compete with selective programs through superior outcomes.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Wisconsin-Madison graduates borrow $20,484 and face a 17.7% payment burden in the 'Manageable' category. For families considering parent loans, Wisconsin-River Falls leads with better combined affordability despite similar student debt levels.
Highest program earnings: $38,463
Strong outcomes with 82% acceptance
17.7% payment burden | Manageable
36.4% family burden | High burden
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $38,463 | 14 | $20,484 | Manageable | $28,364 | High | |
| #2 | $36,594 | 12 | $20,500 | Challenging | $14,500 | High | |
| #3 | $36,302 | 12 | $22,500 | Challenging | $16,958 | High | |
| #4 | $30,771 | 9 | $18,500 | High | $13,480 | High | |
| #5 | $30,055 | 26 | $23,000 | High | $16,149 | High | |
| #6 | $29,596 | 13 | $23,188 | High | $18,635 | High | |
| #7 | Viterbo UniversityPrivate | $26,730 | 13 | $25,000 | High | $21,560 | High |
| #8 | $25,306 | 16 | $20,492 | High | $13,139 | High | |
| #9 | Lawrence UniversityPrivate | $23,113 | 10 | $26,000 | High | $59,814 | High |
| #10 | Marquette UniversityPrivate | $20,824 | 8 | $23,940 | High | $45,500 | High |
| #11 | $19,541 | 30 | $21,503 | High | $14,012 | High | |
| #12 | Carthage CollegePrivate | $19,227 | 14 | $26,000 | High | $42,940 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
