Best Master's Degree Programs at University of Wisconsin-Madison by ROI
Every Master's Degree major at University of Wisconsin-Madison ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs Analyzed
25
Majors with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
+$690,736
Across all programs
Average Annual Cost
$27,770
Cost of attendance
| # | Major | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Finance and Financial Management Services.
Grad rate: 89.3% |
+$1,733,620 | $131,458 | $27,770 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
Marketing.
Grad rate: 89.3% |
+$1,711,600 | $130,357 | $27,770 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
Business/Commerce, General.
Grad rate: 89.3% |
+$1,591,660 | $124,360 | $27,770 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration.
Grad rate: 89.3% |
+$1,580,000 | $123,777 | $27,770 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering.
Grad rate: 89.3% |
+$1,508,740 | $120,214 | $27,770 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
Engineering, General.
Grad rate: 89.3% |
+$1,332,940 | $111,424 | $27,770 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
Real Estate.
Grad rate: 89.3% |
+$1,188,840 | $104,219 | $27,770 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.
Grad rate: 89.3% |
+$1,183,200 | $103,937 | $27,770 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
Mechanical Engineering.
Grad rate: 89.3% |
+$986,320 | $94,093 | $27,770 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
Veterinary Medicine.
Grad rate: 89.3% |
+$931,700 | $91,362 | $27,770 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 11 |
Biotechnology.
Grad rate: 89.3% |
+$752,260 | $82,390 | $27,770 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 12 |
Accounting and Related Services.
Grad rate: 89.3% |
+$635,300 | $76,542 | $27,770 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 13 |
Law.
Grad rate: 89.3% |
+$556,040 | $72,579 | $27,770 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 14 |
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions.
Grad rate: 89.3% |
+$496,600 | $69,607 | $27,770 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 15 |
Medicine.
Grad rate: 89.3% |
+$488,800 | $69,217 | $27,770 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 16 |
Public Health.
Grad rate: 89.3% |
+$420,000 | $65,777 | $27,770 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 17 |
Public Policy Analysis.
Grad rate: 89.3% |
+$300,040 | $59,779 | $27,770 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 18 |
Educational Administration and Supervision.
Grad rate: 89.3% |
+$174,960 | $53,525 | $27,770 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 19 |
Social Work.
Grad rate: 89.3% |
+$114,340 | $50,494 | $27,770 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 20 |
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services.
Grad rate: 89.3% |
+$112,560 | $50,405 | $27,770 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 21 |
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology.
Grad rate: 89.3% |
+$52,020 | $47,378 | $27,770 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 22 |
Curriculum and Instruction.
Grad rate: 89.3% |
+$47,020 | $47,128 | $27,770 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 23 |
Library Science and Administration.
Grad rate: 89.3% |
+$12,700 | $45,412 | $27,770 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 24 |
Fine and Studio Arts.
Grad rate: 89.3% |
-$190,000 | $35,277 | $27,770 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 25 |
Music.
Grad rate: 89.3% |
-$452,860 | $22,134 | $27,770 | $0 | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost − Debt Payoff (×1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20). Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.