Communication Disorders Sciences and Services at University of Wisconsin-Madison

The eye-catching $14,668 first-year salary reflects a pattern common in speech-language pathology preparation: most graduates proceed directly to required master's programs rather than entering the workforce. This explains why UW-Madison's bachelor's program ranks in just the 5th percentile nationally for early earnings—these aren't working professionals yet, they're grad students. The dramatic jump to $53,748 by year four suggests many graduates complete their master's degrees and begin practicing, though this still trails the national bachelor's median by nearly $30,000.

What's puzzling is the state comparison: UW-Madison ranks in the 60th percentile among Wisconsin communication disorders programs despite having identical first-year earnings to the state median. This likely indicates variation in how quickly graduates advance, though the moderate sample size means any conclusions should be tempered. The $25,952 debt load is reasonable and actually lower than most Wisconsin peers, which matters if you're planning for additional graduate school expenses on top.

For parents, the key question is whether your child will definitely pursue the master's degree required for clinical practice. If so, evaluate this as a stepping stone, not a standalone credential—you're really assessing UW-Madison's preparation for graduate school and the quality of its advising network. If there's any uncertainty about continuing to graduate school, this becomes a problematic investment, as bachelor's-only holders in this field face severely limited career options.