University of Wisconsin-Madison — ROI, Cost & Payback
University of Wisconsin-Madison charges a net price of $17,354/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $69,416. Graduates earn a median $73,792 ten years after entry, $25,432/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 2.7 years — a 20-year net return of $439,224, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
University of Wisconsin-Madison's 2.7-year payback ranks #147 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 89% of them, and #2 of 53 in Wisconsin.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $17,354/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $69,416 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $73,792 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $25,432/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $20,484 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 2.7 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $439,224 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on University of Wisconsin-Madison's own numbers. Net price $17,354 × 4 years = $69,416 total. Median earnings $73,792 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $25,432 a year of premium. $69,416 ÷ $25,432 = 2.7 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $439,224. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do University of Wisconsin-Madison students graduate with?
A median $20,484 in federal loans among completers, or 28% of the $73,792 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of University of Wisconsin-Madison students graduate?
90% finish their degree. Spread the $69,416 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $77,129 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is University of Wisconsin-Madison expensive compared with other Wisconsin colleges?
Its $17,354 net price runs $2,161 above the $15,193 median across the 53 Wisconsin colleges we profile, or $8,644 more across the full degree.