Is University of Wisconsin-Madison worth it?

Madison, WI · public

Verdict

Typical students pay $17,354 a year after aid, graduate with $20,484 in federal debt, and earn $61,275 six years after enrolling — an estimated monthly loan payment of $219, with a debt break-even of about 3.3 years.

Net price / year

$17,354

Admission rate

45%

Graduation rate

Median debt

$20,484

Earnings (6 yr)

$61,275

Earnings (10 yr)

$73,792

Est. monthly loan payment

$219

Loan-to-income ratio

33%

Debt break-even

3.3 years

How University of Wisconsin-Madison compares

MetricUniversity of Wisconsin-MadisonWisconsinNational
Net price$17,354$16,356$16,642
Median debt$20,484$15,538$12,377
Earnings (6 yr)$61,275$38,816$33,037
Graduation rate

FAQ

How much does it cost to attend University of Wisconsin-Madison?

The federal average net price after grants and scholarships is $17,354 a year. That figure reflects what a typical student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the sticker price.

How much debt do University of Wisconsin-Madison graduates typically carry?

Students who complete a program at University of Wisconsin-Madison leave with a median federal debt of $20,484, based on the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.

What do University of Wisconsin-Madison graduates earn?

Six years after enrolling, former students report median earnings of $61,275, drawn from federal tax records aggregated by the College Scorecard.

What is the graduation rate at University of Wisconsin-Madison?

Graduation rate data is not currently published for this school.

Is University of Wisconsin-Madison worth the debt?

Based on median debt and 6-year earnings, it would take roughly 3.3 years of 10% income allocation to pay off the typical debt load — compare that against your own expected major and career path before deciding.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.