University of Wisconsin-Madison's published cost of attendance is $28,679, but need-based aid reshapes that figure meaningfully across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $4,200 per year in net price, middle-income families see annual costs around $8,134, and higher-income families pay approximately $27,292.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $28,679 |
| Tuition and Fees | $42,103 |
| Room and Board | $14,124 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,100 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$11,325 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $17,354 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $4,200 |
| $30–48k | $4,101 |
| $48–75k | $8,134 |
| $75–110k | $17,763 |
| $110k+ | $27,292 |
University of Wisconsin-Madison's published cost of attendance is $28,679, but need-based aid reshapes that figure meaningfully across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $4,200 per year in net price, middle-income families see annual costs around $8,134, and higher-income families pay approximately $27,292. Azimuth ranks University of Wisconsin-Madison #482 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Wisconsin's public-tuition structure and broad financial aid programs help keep costs accessible for a wide range of families. Need-based aid covers a meaningful share of cost for lower- and middle-income students, and the gap between sticker price and what most families actually pay is a central part of the net price illusion that families should understand before comparing costs across institutions. Students and families are encouraged to use the net price calculator and FAFSA to determine their individual aid eligibility. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $20,484, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $28,364; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $78,974, median federal debt of $20,484 projects to a monthly payment of about $231 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use .
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt-to-earnings data not available.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Graduates of University of Wisconsin-Madison earn median earnings of $78,974 four years after enrollment, placing University of Wisconsin-Madison in the 86.2 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. That figure runs above the $65,228 median at comparable institutions (same control and size band). Graduates earn about $2,192 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing University of Wisconsin-Madison in the 48.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks University of Wisconsin-Madison #205 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern at University of Wisconsin-Madison is anchored by Artificial Intelligence, which combines large cohort scale with strong pay to form the largest aggregate-return program. Business is the dominant program family, representing 17% of degree output, followed by Social Sciences at 11% and Engineering at 10%. Among the highest-earning programs, Azimuth ranks Artificial Intelligence #20 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions, with 733 graduates earning median earnings of $119,655 — 1.3x the national benchmark for the field. The Economics program graduates 546 students with median earnings of $85,366, and Azimuth ranks Psychology, General #45 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions, with graduates earning $58,901. The breadth of strong programs across business, quantitative, and applied fields helps explain why University of Wisconsin-Madison's institution-level earnings consistently place well above the peer median.
