University of Wisconsin-Madison performs well above average for return on investment, ranking at the 88.8th percentile nationally with strong tier performance. However, graduates earn $7,204 less than expected when adjusted for student demographics and program composition, placing the institution at the 25th percentile for earnings beyond expectations. This suggests that outcomes primarily reflect the academic preparation of admitted students rather than institutional value-added effects. Median earnings of $73,792 rank at the 89th percentile nationally, while debt levels of $20,484 remain equivalent to peer institutions at $20,000. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.28 supports sustainable repayment for typical graduates. Compared to peer median earnings of $60,543, University of Wisconsin-Madison graduates earn $13,249 more annually, demonstrating competitive advantage within the public research university landscape despite the lower value-added performance.
University of Wisconsin-Madison graduates demonstrate steady earnings progression over time. Median earnings increase from $61,275 six years after enrollment to $69,868 at eight years and $73,792 at ten years, representing 20.4% growth from the six-year mark. These outcomes reflect a ten-year cohort of 6,257 graduates, providing high confidence in reported figures. Graduates earn at the 89th percentile nationally for long-term earnings, though they earn $7,204 below expectations when adjusted for student demographics and program composition, ranking at the 25th percentile for earnings uplift. Low-income graduates earn $72,100, demonstrating strong outcomes for students from lower-income backgrounds. The earnings distribution spans from $52,171 at the 25th percentile to $108,161 at the 75th percentile, with a 2.1:1 ratio reflecting program diversity and career variation. Approximately 23.9% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both advanced education and workforce entry. Compared to peer institutions, University of Wisconsin-Madison graduates earn $13,249 more annually, highlighting the institution's competitive positioning within the public research university landscape.
Latest FE earnings field: 10-year
Lower quartile, 10-year field
Earnings outcomes at University of Wisconsin-Madison show meaningful variation across career paths and program choices. The gap between the 25th percentile ($52,171) and 75th percentile ($108,161) represents a 2.1:1 ratio, indicating diverse post-graduation trajectories. Real Estate graduates lead with median earnings of $100,995, while Artificial Intelligence graduates earn $97,595 and Banking and Financial Support Services graduates earn $86,244. Earnings demonstrate steady growth over time, increasing by 20.4% between the six-year and ten-year measurement points. With over 6,000 graduates included in the ten-year earnings cohort, these figures represent outcomes across the institution's full academic portfolio rather than isolated high-earning programs. The earnings distribution reflects the university's strength in business, technology, and professional programs while also serving students pursuing traditional liberal arts and sciences fields.
Financial justification for the investment.
The earnings distribution at University of Wisconsin-Madison shows meaningful variation in career outcomes, spanning from $52,171 at the 25th percentile to $108,161 at the 75th percentile. This 2.1:1 ratio reflects different program choices and career trajectories available to graduates. Low-income graduates earn $72,100, demonstrating that the university's selective admission profile enables strong mobility outcomes for students from lower-income backgrounds who gain admission. The earnings spread indicates both reliable baseline outcomes and significant upside potential depending on field of study and career development.
Approximately 23.9% of University of Wisconsin-Madison graduates continue to graduate or professional school, estimated with high confidence based on program mix analysis. This rate reflects balanced preparation for both immediate workforce entry and advanced study, supporting the university's role as both a terminal degree institution and preparation for graduate education.
Program mix and student pathways explain much of the earnings story.
Program-level earnings demonstrate the importance of field selection at University of Wisconsin-Madison. Real Estate leads with $100,995 median earnings and perfect value scores, followed by Artificial Intelligence at $97,595 serving the largest high-earning cohort of 628 graduates. Banking and Financial Support Services ($86,244) and Mechanical Engineering ($86,231) also exceed $85,000 in median earnings. Business and technology programs dominate the highest earnings ranges, while liberal arts programs like Communication and Media Studies ($50,226) and Adult Development and Aging ($46,149) serve different career preparation purposes. The program diversity enables students with different career interests to find appropriate pathways, though financial outcomes vary substantially based on field selection. Business programs consistently achieve both high earnings and strong value scores, indicating favorable debt-to-earnings ratios alongside strong labor market outcomes. This program-level variation explains the university's overall strong earnings performance while highlighting the importance of individual program choice in determining post-graduation financial outcomes.
See which programs drive the strongest earnings and career trajectories
Upper quartile, 10-year field
The earnings distribution at University of Wisconsin-Madison shows meaningful variation in career outcomes, spanning from $52,171 at the 25th percentile to $108,161 at the 75th percentile. This 2.1:1 ratio reflects different program choices and career trajectories available to graduates. Low-income graduates earn $72,100, demonstrating that the university's selective admission profile enables strong mobility outcomes for students from lower-income backgrounds who gain admission. The earnings spread indicates both reliable baseline outcomes and significant upside potential depending on field of study and career development.
