What is the starting salary for Software Engineering graduates in Madison?

The estimated starting salary for Software Engineering graduates in Madison, WI is $78,320 per year, adjusted for the local cost of living index of 89. The national average starting salary for this major is $88,000. Salaries in Madison are 11% lower than the national average due to cost of living differences.

Is a Software Engineering degree worth it in Madison?

A Software Engineering degree in Madison has an estimated ROI payback period of 1.9 years, with a projected lifetime return of $959,532 after subtracting education costs. With 11 colleges in the area and average public tuition of $10,725/year, Madison offers affordable options for this degree. The local unemployment rate of 5.7% and the major's national unemployment rate of 2% should also factor into your decision.

How much does it cost to study Software Engineering in Madison?

The average annual public university tuition in Madison is $10,725, while private universities average $33,350/year. Including room and board ($11,942/year), total 4-year costs range from $90,668 at a public school to $181,168 at a private institution. Average financial aid per student in Madison is $15,815/year.

What jobs can Software Engineering graduates get in Madison?

Software Engineering graduates in Madison can pursue careers as Software Developer, DevOps Engineer, QA Engineer. Key skills valued by local employers include Software Design, Testing, Agile, DevOps. The Madison job market features Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies among the top hiring sectors for this field. National top employers include Google, Microsoft, Apple.

How long to pay off student loans for Software Engineering in Madison?

With a standard 10-year repayment plan at 6.5% interest, Software Engineering graduates in Madison would pay $1,030/month on an estimated $90,668 in loans, with $32,874 in total interest. An aggressive 5-year plan would require $1,774/month but save $17,101 in interest. With a COL-adjusted starting salary of $78,320, monthly payments would represent 16% of gross monthly income.

Software Engineering Degree in Madison, WI — Salary & ROI 2026

Software Engineering degree analysis for Madison, WI. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.

Starting Salary

$78K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$114K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

1.9 yrs

in Madison

Cost of Living

index (100 = avg)

Software Engineering in Madison, WI Overview

Madison, Wisconsin (pop. 269,840) has 11 colleges offering Software Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 89 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $902/month. Software Engineering has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Software Design and Testing skills. The adjusted starting salary in Madison is approximately $78,320.

Software Engineering Salary in Madison (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Madison's cost of living index of 89 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)

$78,320($-9,680 vs national)

Mid Career (5-9 yrs)

$113,920($-14,080 vs national)

Senior Level (15+ yrs)

$142,400($-17,600 vs national)

Note: National average Software Engineering salary: $88,000 starting, $128,000 mid-career, $160,000 senior level.Madison adjustment factor: 0.89x based on the local cost of living index.

Software Engineering ROI Calculator for Madison

Estimate your return on investment for a Software Engineering degree using local Madison tuition and cost of living data.

Annual Tuition ($)

Public avg: $10,725 | Private avg: $33,350

Years of Study

Annual Financial Aid ($)

Madison avg aid: $15,815/yr

Student Loan Rate (%)

Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%

Total Education Cost

$90,668

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$47,170

vs HS diploma in Madison

ROI Payback Period

1.9 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Madison

$959,532

Lifetime earnings premium ($1,050,200) minus total education cost ($90,668)

Student Loan Payoff for Software Engineering in Madison

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$90,668

Monthly Payment$1,030

Total Interest$32,874

% of Monthly Income16%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$90,668

Monthly Payment$1,774

Total Interest$15,773

Interest Savings$17,101

Colleges in Madison for Software Engineering

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 Software Engineering in Madison

Madison offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Software Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:

GoogleMicrosoftAppleAmazonSalesforce

Key Madison Hiring Sectors for STEM

Tech companies

Research labs

Government agencies

Startups

Consulting firms

Common Software Engineering Job Titles

Software DeveloperDevOps EngineerQA Engineer

Software Engineering in Nearby Wisconsin Cities

Milwaukee, WI

$83K starting · COL 94

33 colleges

Green Bay, WI

$76K starting · COL 86

6 colleges

Kenosha, WI

$93K starting · COL 106

8 colleges

Racine, WI

$76K starting · COL 85.8

4 colleges

Appleton, WI

$70K starting · COL 79

6 colleges

Waukesha, WI

$80K starting · COL 90.5

3 colleges

Eau Claire, WI

$76K starting · COL 86

2 colleges

Oshkosh, WI

$94K starting · COL 107

3 colleges

Other STEM Majors in Madison

Prompt Engineering

$45K starting · 1.5 yr ROI

Computational Linguistics

$85K starting · 2 yr ROI

Computer Science

$76K starting · 2.8 yr ROI

Data Science

$73K starting · 3 yr ROI

Astrophysics

$76K starting · 3 yr ROI

Actuarial Science

$45K starting · 3 yr ROI

Cybersecurity

$71K starting · 3 yr ROI

Robotics Engineering

$45K starting · 3 yr ROI

Methodology & Education Data Sources

How we calculate Software Engineering degree outcomes in Madison, WI: Our salary projections, ROI estimates, and tuition data combine multiple federal datasets to provide a localized view of education economics. We use a 10-year career-trajectory model standard in higher education research.

Tuition data sourced from IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System), the federal education statistics database operated by NCES. Average tuition for Software Engineering programs reflects 4-year public/private weighted averages for Wisconsin.
Career salary projections based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, with cost-of-living adjustments for Madison using regional CPI data.
10-year ROI calculates: (Total Career Earnings With Degree) − (Total Career Earnings Without Degree) − (Total Education Cost Including Interest on Loans).
Job market outlook for Software Engineering graduates uses BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook 10-year projections (2024-2034 base period).
Default rates and loan data sourced from College Scorecard (US Department of Education), which tracks repayment outcomes by institution.

Authoritative US education data sources:

IPEDS — Integrated Postsecondary Education Data — official federal college data
College Scorecard (US Dept of Education) — earnings, debt, completion rates
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Software Engineering career projections
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) — official US student loan and grant info
NCES Digest of Education Statistics — comprehensive education data
BLS Occupational Employment and Wages — entry-level salary data for Software Engineering grads

Education Disclaimer: Salary and ROI estimates are projections based on national and state-level averages. Individual outcomes depend on institution prestige, GPA, internships, location, network, and economic conditions. Always verify current tuition with the institution directly, and consult a financial aid counselor before taking on student loans. Use the Federal Loan Simulator to model repayment scenarios.

Reviewed by Brazora Monk · Last updated 2026 · IPEDS & BLS data current as of latest annual release

Financial Aid Resources for Madison Students

Beyond federal aid (FAFSA), Wisconsin students have access to state-specific grants, scholarships, and tuition assistance programs. The 2026-27 FAFSA also added a new Low Earnings Indicator (Dec 2025) flagging programs where graduates earn less than non-college peers — check your target school's status:

📋 Federal Aid (FAFSA)

Pell Grant up to $7,395/yr (2026-27). Subsidized loans at 6.53% (academic year 25-26):

🏛️ State Grants (Wisconsin)

State-specific grants stack with federal aid:

• USA.gov — Wisconsin programs
• NASFAA — State Aid Programs
• Search "wisconsin higher education commission grants"

🎓 College Outcomes Data

Verify earnings + debt before enrolling:

• College Scorecard — earnings, debt, completion
• NCES College Navigator
• IPEDS Net Price Calculator Center

💰 Scholarship Search

Free, official, scam-free scholarship databases:

2026-27 FAFSA tip: The new Low Earnings Indicator flags programs where graduates earn less than non-graduates. Check this before enrolling. Speak with a NASFAA-credentialed financial aid counselor at your target school.

Software Engineering 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 Software Engineering ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Madison.

Software Engineering Overview Colleges in Madison All Majors