Legal Studies at University of Wisconsin-Madison

Madison, WI · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate)
50 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
51
Optimistic
50
Base Case
52
Pessimistic
Earnings $41,144/yr (4% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (26% exposed)
Job Market Large (44,000 openings/yr)
ROI 13.7x earnings multiple (3.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #8 of 37 Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate) programs Top 25%

Program Analysis

Your undergraduate degree in General Legal Studies from UW-Madison provides a robust foundation in legal principles, critical thinking, and research, skills highly valued across numerous sectors. As a flagship public university, UW-Madison's strong academic reputation and extensive alumni network give graduates a competitive advantage, particularly within Wisconsin's labor market, including state government, corporate legal departments, and private firms in Madison and Milwaukee. This isn't a direct path to practicing law without further education, but it perfectly prepares you for essential support roles. The moderate AI risk in these fields highlights the importance of developing complementary skills like nuanced client communication, complex problem-solving, and ethical reasoning. To maximize your career trajectory, actively seek internships with legal organizations or corporate compliance departments to gain practical experience and build your professional network.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Legal Studies graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $623K $616K $576K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.9x 13.7x 12.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.8x 3.8x 3.5x
Probability of Field Employment 52% 50% 44%
DegreeOutlook Score 51 50 52

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$44,820
Out-of-state: $162,412 (3.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$67,712
-51% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,000
5.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$65,938
60% growth from Year 1

About University of Wisconsin-Madison

University of Wisconsin-Madison's 43% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, one of the larger campuses at 35,665 students in Madison, WI.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Wisconsin-Madison →

Top Career Paths

Legal support workers, all other $68,760/yr
Paralegals and legal assistants $61,010/yr
View all 2 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Legal Studies at Other Schools

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Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Legal Studies at University of Wisconsin-Madison?
A score of 50/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Legal Studies field.
What makes University of Wisconsin-Madison's Legal Studies program stand out?
Ranked #8 of 37 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →