Information Sciencesat University of Wisconsin-Madison
Graduates earn $80,566/yr in their first year — about 29.0% above the national Information Sciences average. Base-case 10-year earnings $1,084K; scenarios range from $802K to $1,136K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at UW-Madison
University of Wisconsin-Madison Information Sciences graduates command $80,566/yr out of the gate, well above the $62,617 national median. That 29% premium suggests the program's reputation carries real labor-market weight.
With a 24.2x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 29% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Information Sciences career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $20,500 in median debt clears quickly against $80,566 in annual earnings.
University of Wisconsin-Madison ranks #19 among 443 Information Sciences programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.
A 47% earnings increase from $80,566 to $118,588 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.
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 Information Sciences
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 Information Sciences offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Information Sciences trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Information Sciences at UW-Madison
What does a 89/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Information Sciences at University of Wisconsin-Madison?
At 89/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Should I worry about AI if I study Information Sciences at University of Wisconsin-Madison?
The 69% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is University of Wisconsin-Madison one of the best schools for Information Sciences?
Among 443 Information Sciences programs, University of Wisconsin-Madison's #19 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.