Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate) at University of Wisconsin-Madison

UW-Madison's legal studies bachelor's produces graduates who start modestly at $41,000 but see strong momentum, jumping to $54,000 by year four—a 32% increase that outpaces the stagnant earnings trajectory typical of many liberal arts degrees. With debt around $21,000 (below the national median for this program of $25,750), graduates face a manageable 0.51 debt-to-earnings ratio that improves significantly as their careers develop. While this program ranks exactly at the 60th percentile both nationally and within Wisconsin, that positioning matters less than the earnings growth pattern, which suggests graduates successfully pivot into roles—possibly paralegal work, compliance, or law-adjacent business positions—that value their background.

The moderate sample size of 30-100 graduates means these numbers reflect real outcomes but could shift somewhat year to year. The first-year salary of $41,000 won't impress parents comparing this to engineering or nursing, but the trajectory tells a more interesting story about career development potential. For students genuinely interested in law but uncertain about law school, this creates a functional launchpad without excessive debt.

The key question is whether your student plans to leverage this degree toward law school or career advancement in legal-adjacent fields. If so, the combination of reasonable debt and strong upward momentum makes this workable. If they're treating it as general liberal arts education without clear career plans, the starting salary becomes more concerning.