Astronomy and Astrophysicsat University of Wisconsin-Madison
Graduates earn $45,783/yr in their first year — about 13.0% above the national Astronomy and Astrophysics average. Base-case 10-year earnings $513K; scenarios range from $483K to $515K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at UW-Madison
Your journey into Astronomy and Astrophysics at UW-Madison places you in a uniquely specialized field, and the program's strong outcomes reflect its deep research focus. This isn't a degree for generalists; it's designed to cultivate highly analytical minds capable of tackling complex data. The excellent earning potential for graduates, especially compared to other programs in this niche, suggests UW-Madison effectively prepares students for competitive roles, often requiring advanced degrees, in academia, government research labs like NASA, or even data-intensive roles in tech.
However, the "Very High" AI risk underscores a critical point: while AI won't replace the fundamental questions you'll explore, it will profoundly transform *how* you answer them. Future success hinges on embracing computational skills, machine learning, and advanced data analysis alongside core physics. Prioritize research opportunities and internships that hone these skills. Your ability to interpret, innovate, and lead AI-driven scientific inquiry will be your greatest asset.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to UW-Madison's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Astronomy and Astrophysics
How UW-Madison stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at UW-Madison
Other highest-scoring programs offered at UW-Madison, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Astronomy and Astrophysics at UW-Madison
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Astronomy and Astrophysics at University of Wisconsin-Madison?
A score of 43/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Astronomy and Astrophysics. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Astronomy and Astrophysics careers?
With 52% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $482,655 in decade earnings vs $515,388 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.