At $16,928/yr net price, University of Wisconsin-Madison graduates earn $73,792/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $39,792/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $16,928 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $67,712 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $73,792/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$39,792/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 1.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 89.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $20,484 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $4,458/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $5,268/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $9,613/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $21,123/yr |
| $110,001+ | $26,427/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economics. | Doctoral | $136,278 | |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | Doctoral | $117,042 | $127,000 |
| Real Estate. | Master | $115,339 | |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Master | $113,091 | $50,847 |
| Marketing. | Master | $111,992 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $108,649 | |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Master | $107,256 | |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Master | $106,421 | |
| Engineering, General. | Master | $106,421 | $41,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Doctoral | $106,421 |
The Risk Factor
89.3% of students at University of Wisconsin-Madison graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
University of Wisconsin-Madison gives you a strong financial return. You pay a net price of $16,928 a year and come out with $20,484 in median debt, roughly one year's tuition, against median earnings of $73,792 ten years out. An 89% graduation rate and 94.5% retention mean you are very likely to finish and finish on time, which is where most college debt goes wrong.
The payoff is concentrated in technical and business majors. Computer Engineering leads at $81,997, followed by Management Sciences at $78,814 and Computer and Information Sciences at $75,282. Real Estate and Chemical Engineering both land near $73,000. These pair high earnings with debt near the school median, so the return is clean. Madison sits close to Epic Systems and a broader Wisconsin insurance and health-tech cluster, which supports demand for these computing and quantitative skills.
The risk here is your major, not your debt load. No humanities, education, or social science earnings are listed among the top programs, so if you enroll in a lower-paying field, you carry the same net price without the salary that makes it work. Pick your major deliberately.
Net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $48k, you pay around $5,000 a year. That jumps to $21,123 in the $75-110k band and $26,427 above $110k. Middle and upper-middle families pay close to sticker, so the value depends heavily on landing one of the higher-earning majors.
This school fits you if you plan to study engineering, computing, or business and qualify for the lower net price tiers. If you are a full-pay family aiming at a lower-earning field, run the numbers first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Wisconsin-Madison worth the cost compared to other state schools?
Wisconsin-Madison offers strong ROI with graduates earning $73,792 after 10 years while keeping median debt low at $20,484. The net price of $16,928 annually makes it more affordable than many flagship state universities with similar earning outcomes.
Which University of Wisconsin-Madison programs have the best return on investment?
Economics leads with $136,278 in 10-year earnings, followed by pharmacy at $117,042 and real estate at $115,339. Business and marketing programs also perform well, both exceeding $110,000 in median earnings.
What is the average debt for University of Wisconsin-Madison graduates?
Graduates leave with a median debt of $20,484, which is manageable given the school's strong earning outcomes. This debt level is below the national average and reasonable for a flagship research university.
Does University of Wisconsin-Madison provide good financial aid for in-state students?
The average net price of $16,928 suggests decent financial aid for many families, though this varies significantly by income level. Wisconsin residents typically see better aid packages than out-of-state students.