Business Administration, Management and Operations at Madison Area Technical College

Madison Area Technical College's business associate's degree produces graduates earning $43,085 in their first year—nearly $10,000 more than the national median and comfortably above Wisconsin's state average. That 89th percentile national ranking tells an important story: this isn't just another business program. At just over $16,000 in debt, students are borrowing roughly the state median while earning notably more, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.38 that makes this debt manageable within four to five months of work.

The in-state comparison adds useful perspective. While Madison Area ranks in the 60th percentile among Wisconsin business programs, that's still respectable in a state where technical colleges like Mid-State and Moraine Park push earnings above $46,000. The difference of $3,000-$4,000 compared to the top performers is real but not dramatic, especially when you consider Madison Area's solid placement relative to both state and national medians.

For Wisconsin families, this represents a straightforward path to employable skills without excessive debt. The combination of above-average earnings and manageable borrowing means graduates can realistically tackle their loans while building careers. It's not the highest-earning business program in the state, but it delivers reliable outcomes at a reasonable cost.