Materials Engineering at University of Wisconsin-Madison

UW-Madison's Materials Engineering program puts graduates on solid financial footing from day one, with first-year earnings of $76,662 that climb to nearly $83,000 by year four. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.27 means graduates owe roughly three months' salary—manageable enough that most will pay it down quickly while building their careers. Within Wisconsin's small materials engineering landscape, this program ranks in the 60th percentile, outperforming UW-Milwaukee by over $7,000 annually while carrying less debt than the state median.

What stands out most is how this program performs against the national field. Ranking in the 83rd percentile among the 63 schools offering materials engineering degrees, UW-Madison delivers significantly better outcomes than most alternatives. The $76,662 starting salary exceeds the national median by $2,500, and graduates here carry about $2,600 less debt than the typical materials engineering student. The 8% earnings growth over four years suggests graduates are advancing steadily in their careers rather than hitting early plateaus.

For families weighing Wisconsin's flagship university against out-of-state options, this data supports staying in-state. The combination of strong starting salaries, below-average debt, and consistent earnings growth makes this a straightforward choice for students interested in materials science and engineering careers.