Management Information Systems and Services at University of Wisconsin-Madison

Wisconsin's flagship may not be the obvious winner for MIS in-state. While UW-Madison graduates earn $73,506—well above both national and state medians—this program actually ranks in just the 60th percentile among Wisconsin's 15 MIS programs. UW-La Crosse graduates earn $67,661 with likely lower debt at a less selective institution, and several other UW system schools deliver comparable outcomes at lower cost. The debt picture here is reasonable at $20,750, but it's worth noting this sits at the 73rd percentile nationally, meaning most comparable programs manage lower debt loads.

The 95th percentile national ranking sounds impressive, but context matters: this reflects the entire country, including states with far weaker tech sectors. Within Wisconsin's competitive landscape, Madison doesn't dominate the way its flagship status might suggest. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.28 is solid and graduates can realistically manage repayment, but parents should question whether the admissions difficulty (43% acceptance, 1402 SAT) translates to meaningfully better career outcomes than peer UW campuses.

One critical caveat: the sample size here is under 30 graduates, so these numbers could swing significantly year to year. If your student is set on Madison for campus experience or has other compelling reasons to attend, this program won't derail their finances. But families focused purely on MIS career outcomes should compare costs and consider whether other UW schools offer better value.