Mathematics at University of Wisconsin-Madison

UW-Madison's mathematics program produces graduates who earn nearly $68,000 in their first year—38% above the national median for math majors and significantly ahead of every other Wisconsin institution offering this degree. This isn't just a marginal advantage: graduates here out-earn their counterparts at UW-Milwaukee, the state's second-best program, by more than $11,000 annually. That premium appears sustainable, with earnings climbing to $83,357 by year four, placing this program in the 95th percentile nationally.

The debt picture strengthens the value proposition. At $20,500, graduates carry roughly $3,000 less debt than the state median while earning substantially more, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.30—meaning the entire debt load equals less than five months of first-year salary. While the 58th percentile for debt nationally isn't remarkable in isolation, it's competitive given the earnings premium.

For families weighing Wisconsin's flagship against other in-state options, the math is straightforward. This program delivers both the highest starting salaries and among the lowest debt loads for mathematics degrees in Wisconsin, translating to a significantly faster path to financial stability than peer institutions can offer.