University of Wisconsin-Madison vs Madison Area Technical College: 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 not at all at Madison Area Technical College, on median earnings of $73,792 vs $45,413 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Wisconsin-Madison | Madison Area Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,354 | $14,238 |
| Total net cost | $69,416 | $56,952 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $73,792 | $45,413 |
| Median debt | $20,484 | $14,060 |
| Payback | 2.7 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | $439,224 | -$115,892 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Wisconsin-Madison or Madison Area Technical College?
Madison Area Technical College, at $14,238 a year after aid versus $17,354 — a gap of $3,116 a year, or $12,464 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 Madison Area Technical College graduates earn more?
University of Wisconsin-Madison graduates report a median $73,792 ten years after entry, $28,379 more than the $45,413 at Madison Area Technical College. 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 Madison Area Technical College?
Madison Area Technical College: its completers carry a median $14,060 in federal loans versus $20,484 at University of Wisconsin-Madison, a difference of $6,424. 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 29% at Madison Area Technical College. 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.