Outcomes-based program rankings.
Program outcomes at University of Wisconsin-Madison vary significantly by field of study, ranging from Real Estate graduates earning over $100,000 to humanities graduates earning around $50,000. The rankings below evaluate programs based on graduate earnings, debt levels, and return on investment rather than academic reputation or prestige.
Analyzing 82 programs with available earnings data.
These highlights surface programs that stand out for national rankings, exceptional earnings, or strong value scores.
#16 nationally
$101K median earnings
This bar shows the range of median earnings across all majors at this school.
The tables below compare programs in each category by earnings, national rank, cohort size, and value scores.
These sections represent the complete set of ranked undergraduate programs at University Of Wisconsin-Madison.
Led by Artificial Intelligence ranking #28 nationally with 628 graduates earning $97,595, this group represents the university's strength in technical fields. Mechanical Engineering produces graduates earning $86,231, though with more moderate national rankings.
Technology programs benefit from strong industry demand and systematic skill development that translates directly to high-value career paths. These programs require strong quantitative preparation but offer some of the most reliable pathways to high post-graduation earnings among Wisconsin-Madison's offerings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Engineering, General. |
Program rankings reflect post-graduation labor market outcomes based on Federal College Scorecard data rather than academic reputation or faculty research quality. Earnings represent median income for graduates who entered the workforce rather than continuing to graduate school, measured ten years after initial enrollment. Rankings compare programs nationally within each specific major rather than across different fields of study. Cohort sizes indicate the number of graduates tracked in federal data, with larger cohorts providing greater confidence in reported outcomes. Value scores incorporate both earnings and debt levels to assess return on investment, explaining why some high-earning programs may have moderate value scores if accompanied by substantial borrowing. These outcomes reflect program-specific factors including industry demand, geographic employment markets, and career trajectory patterns rather than institutional quality alone. Students should evaluate programs based on their career interests, financial priorities, and post-graduation plans rather than rankings alone, recognizing that individual outcomes vary significantly within each program based on student effort, networking, internship experience, and job market timing.
Median earnings 10 years post-enrollment
Debt burden relative to earnings
recent graduates
| $117,059★ |
| — |
| 98 |
| Artificial Intelligence. | #27 | $97,595 | $29,163 | 628 |
| Industrial Engineering. | #12 | $95,113 | — | 116 |
| Chemical Engineering, Other. | #35 | $92,813 | — | 113 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | #84 | $86,231 | — | 190 |
| Nuclear Engineering.Small sample | #8 | $85,629 | — | 15 |
| Materials Engineering. | #13 | $82,939 | — | 50 |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering. | #156 | $80,756 | — | 121 |
| Civil Engineering, General. | #63 | $80,265 | — | 108 |
| Geological/Geophysical Engineering.Small sample | #2 | $80,090 | — | 19 |
| Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering. | #60 | $76,003 | — | 81 |
| Agricultural Engineering. | #10 | $72,632 | — | 61 |
| Engineering Mechanics. | #3 | $65,657 | — | 35 |
This cluster dominates University of Wisconsin-Madison's highest-earning programs, with Real Estate ranking #1 nationally and Digital Marketing ranking #5. Business programs consistently deliver strong labor market outcomes, with Banking and Financial Support Services producing median earnings of $86,244.
Applied Economics serves as one of the university's largest programs with 566 graduates earning $69,594. The group combines specialized business disciplines with broader economic training, creating pathways for students prioritizing financial returns and career flexibility in corporate, financial, and entrepreneurial settings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Actuarial Science. | #7 | $103,437★ | — | 70 |
| Real Estate. | #1 🏆 | $100,995 | — | 156 |
| Insurance. | #1 🏆 | $96,327 | — | 137 |
| International Business. | #6 | $94,010 | — | 34 |
| Banking and Financial Support Services. | #31 | $86,244 | $30,000 | 404 |
| Digital Marketing. | #5 | $83,360 | $29,000 | 222 |
| Business Administration and Management, General. | #34 | $81,952 | — | 178 |
| Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping. | #58 | $78,931 | — | 126 |
| Information Resources Management. | #45 | $73,506 | — | 37 |
| General Merchandising, Sales, and Related Marketing Operations, Other. | #11 | $64,857 | — | 138 |
Adult Health Nursing represents the primary health pathway, graduating 230 students with median earnings of $73,330. The program demonstrates the university's professional training capabilities, though with more moderate national rankings at #143.
Health programs typically offer stable employment prospects and community impact opportunities. The earnings reflect the nursing profession's compensation structure and geographic market conditions, providing reliable career outcomes for students interested in healthcare delivery and patient care.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult Health Nurse/Nursing. | #153 | $73,330★ | $27,300 | 230 |
| Animal-Assisted Therapy. | #5 | $55,568 | — | 84 |
| Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist. | #50 | $53,748 | — | 73 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions, Other.Small sample | #84 | $48,854 | — | 14 |
Mathematics programs excel with Algebra and Number Theory ranking #17 nationally and producing graduates earning $83,357. Biology programs serve larger cohorts, with Biology General graduating 376 students earning $56,314 and Biochemistry producing smaller cohorts earning $57,775.
The group combines theoretical preparation with practical applications, though earnings vary based on graduate school continuation rates and industry entry patterns. Programs provide strong preparation for both workforce entry and advanced study in professional fields.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Algebra and Number Theory. | #18 | $83,357★ | — | 296 |
| Acoustics. | #17 | $69,988 | — | 61 |
| Geochemistry and Petrology. | #6 | $67,483 | — | 43 |
| Mathematical Statistics and Probability. | #24 | $63,005 | — | 128 |
| Analytical Chemistry. | #37 | $62,892 | — | 76 |
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. | #18 | $57,775 | — | 214 |
| Biology, General. | #53 | $56,314 | $37,524 | 376 |
| Immunology. | #12 | $54,549 | — | 76 |
| Animal Genetics. | #3 | $54,177 | — | 84 |
| Animal Behavior and Ethology. | #6 | $40,827 | — | 68 |
| Aquatic Biology/Limnology. | #20 | $39,875 | — | 63 |
| Atmospheric Chemistry and Climatology.Small sample | #12 | $36,790 | — | 18 |
| Neuroanatomy. | #50 | $31,687 | — | 227 |
| Botany/Plant Biology, Other.Small sample | #3 | $28,960 | — | 14 |
| Astronomy and Astrophysics, Other. | #6 | $26,353 | — | 40 |
Psychology General ranks #26 nationally with strong value scores, serving 463 graduates who earn $52,087. American Government and Politics ranks #72 nationally but #1 in Wisconsin, graduating 363 students earning $56,465.
Applied Economics bridges this group with business applications. These programs prepare students for diverse career paths in government, nonprofit work, and private sector roles requiring analytical and communication skills, though with more variable earnings outcomes depending on career trajectory and geographic location.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applied Economics. | #68 | $69,594★ | $28,979 | 566 |
| American Government and Politics (United States). | #74 | $56,465 | $31,475 | 363 |
| Applied/Public Sociology. | #47 | $52,892 | — | 97 |
| Psychology, General. | #28 | $52,087 | $28,500 | 463 |
| Geographic Information Science and Cartography. | #35 | $49,762 | — | 41 |
| Forensic Social Work. | #57 | $46,900 | — | 71 |
| Anthropology, General. | #43 | $42,367 | — | 26 |
Broadcast Journalism ranks #10 nationally with graduates earning $56,265, though with higher debt levels at $57,677. Communication and Media Studies serves larger cohorts of 290 graduates earning $50,226.
The programs demonstrate Wisconsin-Madison's strength in media preparation and professional communication training. Career outcomes vary significantly based on media market size, specialization area, and entrepreneurial initiative, with top performers achieving strong earnings while others face more challenging employment landscapes in evolving media industries.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broadcast Journalism. | #10 | $56,265★ | $57,677 | 233 |
| Communication and Media Studies, Other. | #79 | $50,226 | $36,879 | 290 |
Adult Development and Aging ranks #13 nationally despite more moderate earnings of $46,149, demonstrating academic excellence in specialized fields. These programs typically prepare students for graduate study, education, or service-oriented careers where financial returns may be secondary to intellectual fulfillment and social impact.
The strong national rankings indicate research quality and faculty expertise, though labor market outcomes reflect the career paths typically pursued by graduates in these fields rather than immediate earning potential.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinese Language and Literature. | #7 | $57,850★ | — | 27 |
| American History (United States). | #32 | $54,182 | — | 130 |
| Catalan Language and Literature. | #27 | $52,001 | — | 189 |
| Commercial Photography. | #59 | $51,862 | — | 35 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | #59 | $47,090 | — | 126 |
| Applied and Professional Ethics. | #35 | $42,622 | — | 54 |
| Applied Linguistics. | #38 | $41,032 | — | 21 |
| Art History, Criticism and Conservation. | #66 | $39,953 | — | 82 |
| Acting.Small sample | #35 | $38,463 | — | 14 |
| Albanian Language and Literature.Small sample | #2 | $32,391 | — | 11 |
| Brass Instruments. | #131 | $31,552 | — | 27 |
| Buddhist Studies.Small sample | #19 | $20,824 | — | 10 |
Education/Teaching of Individuals Who are Developmentally Delayed. leads education with 48K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education/Teaching of Individuals Who are Developmentally Delayed. | #36 | $47,683★ | — | 51 |
| Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching. | #75 | $45,157 | — | 130 |
| Agricultural Teacher Education. | #130 | $42,682 | — | 25 |
Agriculture & Environment graduates earn 51K on average, with 3 programs ranking in the national Top 10.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brewing Science. | #8 | $68,878★ | — | 29 |
| Agribusiness/Agricultural Business Operations. | #6 | $66,254 | — | 44 |
| Agricultural Communication/Journalism. | #2 | $59,522 | — | 59 |
| Agricultural Animal Breeding. | #20 | $48,199 | — | 50 |
| Environmental Science. | #47 | $46,193 | — | 175 |
| Agricultural and Horticultural Plant Breeding. | #40 | $36,197 | — | 23 |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management.Small sample | #24 | $31,963 | — | 16 |
Other & Interdisciplinary graduates earn 50K on average, with 1 program ranking in the national Top 10.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology. | #18 | $58,500★ | — | 98 |
| Legal Studies. | #10 | $54,150 | — | 97 |
| Nutrition Sciences. | #11 | $52,882 | — | 66 |
| International/Globalization Studies. | #20 | $51,478 | — | 82 |
| Landscape Architecture.Small sample | #17 | $50,439 | — | 18 |
| Apparel and Textile Manufacture.Small sample | #27 | $46,673 | — | 14 |
| Adult Development and Aging. | #15 | $46,149 | $33,524 | 214 |
| African-American/Black Studies. | #22 | $45,721 | — | 48 |
| African Studies. | #39 | $42,881 | — | 31 |
Institutional contribution to outcomes
Resources, cohort size, and graduation rates
Trajectory from early to mid-career
Why rankings may differ by program: A university's nursing program and business program can have entirely different outcome profiles. Our methodology surfaces these differences so you can evaluate programs — not just institutions.
