International Studiesat University of Wisconsin-Madison
Graduates earn $40,594/yr in their first year — about 16.0% above the national International Studies average. Base-case 10-year earnings $583K; scenarios range from $549K to $588K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at UW-Madison
Your International/Global Studies degree from UW-Madison benefits significantly from the university's strong academic reputation and extensive alumni network, propelling graduates into roles with better compensation than many similar programs nationally. The interdisciplinary nature of the program, drawing on strengths in political science, economics, and various language departments, equips you with versatile analytical and cross-cultural communication skills. These capabilities are highly valued in diverse sectors, from federal agencies and non-profits focused on global development to international business operations, where human judgment and nuanced understanding remain critical. Your career path might involve policy analysis for government, project management for international NGOs, or market research for companies expanding globally. To truly maximize your outcomes, actively seek out internships or study abroad experiences that directly apply your knowledge to specific regions or global issues.
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 International Studies
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 International Studies offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare International Studies trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about International Studies at UW-Madison
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for International Studies at University of Wisconsin-Madison?
A score of 45/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for International Studies. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
What makes University of Wisconsin-Madison's International Studies program stand out?
Ranked #10 of 81 programs nationally, University of Wisconsin-Madison lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.