University of Wisconsin-Madison vs University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee: 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 9.1 years at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, on median earnings of $73,792 vs $54,990 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Wisconsin-Madison | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,354 | $15,014 |
| Total net cost | $69,416 | $60,056 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $73,792 | $54,990 |
| Median debt | $20,484 | $23,000 |
| Payback | 2.7 yrs | 9.1 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $439,224 | $72,544 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Wisconsin-Madison or University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee?
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, at $15,014 a year after aid versus $17,354 — a gap of $2,340 a year, or $9,360 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 University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee graduates earn more?
University of Wisconsin-Madison graduates report a median $73,792 ten years after entry, $18,802 more than the $54,990 at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. 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 University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee?
University of Wisconsin-Madison: its completers carry a median $20,484 in federal loans versus $23,000 at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, a difference of $2,516. 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 49% at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. 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.