Computer and Information Sciences at University of Wisconsin-Madison

UW-Madison's computer science program graduates earn $80,566 right out of school—$19,000 more than the national median and placing them in the 95th percentile nationwide. That's exceptional performance for a public university, and the trajectory looks solid: earnings climb to nearly $98,000 by year four, a 21% increase that reflects strong career progression. The $22,500 debt load translates to a manageable 0.28 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates can reasonably pay off loans in under three months of gross salary.

The state picture adds interesting nuance. While UW-Madison dominates nationally, it ranks in the 60th percentile among Wisconsin CS programs—several smaller state schools like UW-Eau Claire actually post slightly higher starting salaries. This likely reflects differences in where graduates land their first jobs rather than program quality. What matters more is that Madison's combination of elite admission standards (1402 SAT average) and outcomes puts graduates in position for competitive roles at major tech companies, where the long-term earning potential exceeds what regional employment typically offers.

For a flagship public university delivering top-5% national outcomes at below-average debt levels, this represents excellent value. Your child gains access to a well-resourced program with strong employer recognition, graduating positioned for high-earning tech careers without the financial burden of elite private alternatives.