Location: Madison, WI•In-State Tuition: $11,205•Out-of-State Tuition: $40,603•Admission Rate: 43%•Avg SAT: 1402
Median Earnings (1yr)
$45,966
73rd percentile
60th percentile in Wisconsin
Median Debt
$27,000
3% above national median
D/E Ratio: 0.59 ManageableSample: 20 graduates Limited data

Analysis

UW-Madison's reputation doesn't translate into standout earnings for its teaching graduates. With first-year earnings of $46,000—just 60th percentile within Wisconsin—this program trails nearby UW-Stout by over $1,200 annually. More concerning is that small sample suggests earnings dip by 7% by year four, though with fewer than 30 graduates tracked, that pattern may not be reliable. The debt load of $27,000 matches the state median and keeps the debt-to-earnings ratio manageable at 0.59, but you're not getting premium financial returns for attending a selective university (43% admission rate, 1402 SAT average).

The real question is what you're paying for access to Madison's brand. If your child qualifies for in-state tuition and values the campus experience or research opportunities at a flagship institution, the numbers aren't prohibitive—just unremarkable for education majors. However, if teaching certification is the primary goal, UW-Stout graduates earn more right out of the gate with similar debt burdens.

Given the small sample size, treat this data as directional rather than definitive. But the pattern is clear enough: UW-Madison's education program offers solid outcomes without justifying a significant financial premium over other Wisconsin public universities.

Where University of Wisconsin-Madison Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all teacher education and professional development, specific subject areas bachelors's programs nationally

University of Wisconsin-MadisonOther teacher education and professional development, specific subject areas programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How University of Wisconsin-Madison graduates compare to all programs nationally

University of Wisconsin-Madison earns $46k — 73th percentile among teacher education and professional development, specific subject areas bachelors programs.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
University of Wisconsin-Madison$45,966$42,682-7%
University of Wisconsin-Stout$47,230$46,689-1%
Saint Norbert College$43,829$46,284+6%
Concordia University-Wisconsin$42,845$46,179+8%
University of Wisconsin-River Falls$39,673$45,548+15%

Compare to Similar Programs in Wisconsin

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Wisconsin (28 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
University of Wisconsin-MadisonMadison$11,205$45,966$42,682$27,0000.59
University of Wisconsin-StoutMenomonie$10,142$47,230$46,689$24,5000.52
University of Wisconsin-PlattevillePlatteville$8,315$46,069$44,287$27,0000.59
Marquette UniversityMilwaukee$48,700$45,974—$27,0000.59
University of Wisconsin-La CrosseLa Crosse$9,651$44,281$44,538$29,0000.65
University of Wisconsin-OshkoshOshkosh$8,212$44,161—$28,5000.65
National Median—$43,082—$26,2210.61

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with teacher education and professional development, specific subject areas graduates

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in computer science. May specialize in a field of computer science, such as the design and function of computers or operations and research analysis. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to mathematical concepts, statistics, and actuarial science and to the application of original and standardized mathematical techniques in solving specific problems and situations. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in the agricultural sciences. Includes teachers of agronomy, dairy sciences, fisheries management, horticultural sciences, poultry sciences, range management, and agricultural soil conservation. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in biological sciences. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in forestry and conservation science. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in the physical sciences, except chemistry and physics. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching, and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to the chemical and physical properties and compositional changes of substances. Work may include providing instruction in the methods of qualitative and quantitative chemical analysis. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching, and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in environmental science. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Physics Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to the laws of matter and energy. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Geography Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in geography. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in psychology, such as child, clinical, and developmental psychology, and psychological counseling. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At University of Wisconsin-Madison, approximately 15% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 20 graduates with reported earnings and 19 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.