Statistics at University of Wisconsin-Madison

UW-Madison's statistics program delivers solid earnings with notably manageable debt—that 0.40 debt-to-earnings ratio ranks in the 5th percentile nationally, meaning 95% of statistics programs leave graduates with heavier debt burdens. At $64,684 in first-year earnings, graduates out-earn the national median for statistics majors by about $5,000 while borrowing just $26,000. For a flagship university with strong national reputation, this represents genuine value: you're getting recognizable credentials without the debt load that often comes with well-regarded programs.

The state comparison is limited (only three Wisconsin schools offer statistics bachelor's degrees), but this program sits at the median for both earnings and debt within the state. Nationally, it ranks in the 63rd percentile for earnings—solidly above average but not elite. The real story here is the balance: earnings that exceed national norms paired with debt that stays well below typical levels. This combination means graduates can direct more of their income toward building wealth rather than servicing loans.

For parents weighing UW-Madison's statistics program, the math works clearly in your favor. The moderate sample size suggests this isn't a massive program, but the outcomes are consistent enough to be reliable. Your child would enter a quantitative field with growing demand while keeping debt below what most statistics graduates carry nationwide. That financial flexibility early in their career is worth more than many families realize.