Architecture Degree in Madison, WI — Salary & ROI 2026
Architecture degree analysis for Madison, WI. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$52K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$73K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.4 yrs
in Madison
Cost of Living
89
index (100 = avg)
Architecture in Madison, WI Overview
Madison, Wisconsin (pop. 269,840) has 11 colleges offering Architecture programs. The local cost of living index of 89 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $902/month. Architecture enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in AutoCAD and Revit. The adjusted starting salary in Madison is approximately $51,620.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
11
Public Tuition
$10,725/yr
Private Tuition
$33,350/yr
Room & Board
$11,942/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,815/yr
Unemployment
5.7%
Graduation Rate
73%
Architecture Salary in Madison (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Madison's cost of living index of 89 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Architecture salary: $58,000 starting, $82,000 mid-career, $105,000 senior level.Madison adjustment factor: 0.89x based on the local cost of living index.
Architecture ROI Calculator for Madison
Estimate your return on investment for a Architecture degree using local Madison tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,725 | Private avg: $33,350
Madison avg aid: $15,815/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$90,668
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$20,470
vs HS diploma in Madison
ROI Payback Period
4.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Madison
$336,532
Lifetime earnings premium ($427,200) minus total education cost ($90,668)
Student Loan Payoff for Architecture in Madison
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Madison for Architecture
University of Wisconsin-Madison
public
$10,725/yr
$42,900 total
Edgewood College
private
$33,350/yr
$133,400 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Madison Area Technical College
$4,632/yr
Top Employers for Architecture in Madison
Madison offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Architecture graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Madison Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Architecture Job Titles
Architecture in Nearby Wisconsin Cities
Milwaukee, WI
$55K starting · COL 94
33 colleges
Green Bay, WI
$50K starting · COL 86
6 colleges
Kenosha, WI
$61K starting · COL 106
8 colleges
Racine, WI
$50K starting · COL 85.8
4 colleges
Appleton, WI
$46K starting · COL 79
6 colleges
Waukesha, WI
$52K starting · COL 90.5
3 colleges
Eau Claire, WI
$50K starting · COL 86
2 colleges
Oshkosh, WI
$62K starting · COL 107
3 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Madison
UX Design
$45K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$45K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$45K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$43K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$45K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$45K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$45K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$45K starting · 9 yr ROI
Architecture Degree in Madison — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Architecture ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Madison.