International/Global Studies at University of Wisconsin-Madison

Wisconsin-Madison's International/Global Studies program significantly outperforms both state and national benchmarks, with first-year graduates earning $40,594—nearly $10,000 more than the typical Wisconsin graduate in this field and $8,000 above the national median. The program ranks in the 80th percentile both nationally and statewide, demonstrating that UW-Madison's global reputation translates into tangible employment advantages. While this isn't a high-paying field overall, graduates here earn roughly 30% more than peers from other Wisconsin programs.

The debt picture strengthens the value proposition: at $20,469, graduates carry about $5,000 less debt than the Wisconsin median for this major. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.50 means the typical graduate can pay off their loans with less than half of their first year's salary—a manageable burden that leaves room for other financial goals. Earnings growth of 27% over four years suggests these graduates are building careers with advancement potential, not hitting an early ceiling.

For a student genuinely passionate about international affairs or global development, this program offers a relatively low-risk path. The combination of strong initial earnings, reasonable debt, and consistent salary growth makes it one of the better options in Wisconsin for this field. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) adds some uncertainty, but the substantial earnings advantage over state peers is meaningful.