Real Estate at University of Wisconsin-Madison

UW-Madison's Real Estate program punches well above its weight, with first-year graduates earning $73,239—a full 34% more than the national median for real estate programs and significantly ahead of Marquette, the only other major Wisconsin competitor. Among the state's four real estate programs, this ranks in the 80th percentile, though more impressively, it lands in the 94th percentile nationally. The $20,500 median debt sits right at Wisconsin's average and translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.28, meaning graduates earn roughly $3.50 for every dollar borrowed.

The trajectory here is particularly strong: earnings jump 38% by year four, reaching $100,995. That's unusual growth for a bachelor's program and suggests graduates are advancing quickly into management roles or high-value sales positions. The combination of moderate debt and robust earnings creates genuine financial flexibility early in graduates' careers.

The 30-100 graduate sample size means individual cohorts might vary, but the pattern is clear: this program delivers concrete career outcomes that justify its cost. For a student committed to real estate who can secure Wisconsin residency, this represents one of the strongest options in the state and competes effectively with programs across the country.