Business Administrationat University of Wisconsin-Madison
Graduates earn $67,699/yr in their first year — about 44.0% above the national Business Administration average. Base-case 10-year earnings $705K; scenarios range from $617K to $724K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at UW-Madison
The impressive earnings for UW-Madison's Business Administration program are a testament to the Wisconsin School of Business's strong reputation and its strategic location. This program cultivates a robust pipeline to leadership roles across diverse sectors, from established financial institutions and manufacturing giants throughout the Midwest to the rapidly growing tech scene in Madison and nearby Chicago. Your curriculum likely emphasizes critical thinking, data-driven decision-making, and operational efficiency, skills highly valued by employers seeking future executives. You'll be prepared for roles where you manage projects, lead teams, and drive strategic initiatives, moving quickly beyond entry-level positions. The extensive alumni network is a powerful asset, opening doors to mentorship and career opportunities. To maximize your potential, actively engage with career services and pursue multiple internships to build experience and connections.
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 Business Administration
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.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Business Administration offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Business Administration trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Business Administration at UW-Madison
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Business Administration at University of Wisconsin-Madison?
This program scores 82/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Business Administration nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Business Administration careers?
With 47% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $616,986 in decade earnings vs $723,587 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of Wisconsin-Madison's Business Administration program stand out?
Ranked #14 of 1,169 programs nationally, University of Wisconsin-Madison lands in the top 1%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.