University of Wisconsin-Madison vs Carroll University: which has better ROI?
University of Wisconsin-Madison has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $69,416 in 2.7 years versus 6.3 years at Carroll University, on median earnings of $73,792 vs $58,009 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Wisconsin-Madison | Carroll University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,354 | $15,193 |
| Total net cost | $69,416 | $60,772 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $73,792 | $58,009 |
| Median debt | $20,484 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 2.7 yrs | 6.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $439,224 | $132,208 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Wisconsin-Madison or Carroll University?
Carroll University, at $15,193 a year after aid versus $17,354 — a gap of $2,161 a year, or $8,644 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of Wisconsin-Madison or Carroll University graduates earn more?
University of Wisconsin-Madison graduates report a median $73,792 ten years after entry, $15,783 more than the $58,009 at Carroll University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, University of Wisconsin-Madison or Carroll University?
University of Wisconsin-Madison: its completers carry a median $20,484 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Carroll University, a difference of $6,516. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
90% of students finish at University of Wisconsin-Madison, against 71% at Carroll University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.