Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at Madison Area Technical College

Madison Area Technical College graduates in this IT management program are earning substantially more than their peers—$54,784 in the first year ranks this program in the 80th percentile among Wisconsin's 17 IT programs and 86th percentile nationally. That $12,000+ premium over the state median of $42,321 is significant, especially when you consider that Madison Area tops even specialized competitors like Waukesha and Fox Valley technical colleges by nearly $8,000-10,000. The $19,250 in typical debt sits below the national median and translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.35, meaning graduates owe about four months' salary—a manageable burden for tech sector wages.

The catch here is understanding what you're paying for. While the debt is slightly above Wisconsin's median for this program ($16,828), you're essentially paying $2,400 more for access to Madison's robust tech economy, which includes Epic Systems and a growing startup scene. That regional advantage appears to be translating directly into higher starting salaries. The moderate sample size of 30-100 graduates provides reasonable confidence in these numbers without the volatility of very small cohorts.

For parents weighing options, Madison Area represents the strongest ROI among Wisconsin's IT management programs. Your child would start their career earning more than three-quarters of comparable graduates statewide while taking on manageable debt that's less than a third of first-year income—a solid foundation for a tech career.