Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Madison Area Technical College

Madison Area Technical College's general studies program generates $40,804 in median earnings by year four—a 41% jump from the initial $29,018. That's solid income growth for an associate degree, though it's worth noting graduates here start below Wisconsin's median for this program ($29,978) and rank in just the 40th percentile statewide. Among the state's 28 similar programs, institutions like UW-Platteville and UW-Whitewater deliver notably stronger year-one earnings.

The real advantage here is cost: at $14,000 in median debt, graduates owe roughly what a year's starting salary would be in just over five months. That's well below both state and national debt levels for this field, giving students more financial flexibility early in their careers. The debt burden is manageable even when earnings start modest.

For families considering this path, the value depends on post-graduation plans. If your student needs a flexible, affordable associate degree before transferring to complete a bachelor's—or wants quick entry to the workforce with minimal debt—this works. But if maximizing immediate earning potential matters more, other Wisconsin technical colleges or university programs show stronger initial outcomes. The earnings growth is encouraging, yet it's playing catch-up from a lower starting point.