Head-to-Head Comparison
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences vs University of Wisconsin-Madison
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Boston, MA
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, WI
- Massachusetts Pharmacy Wins
- 15
- Tied
- 11
- Wisconsin-Madison Wins
- 18
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of Wisconsin-Madison offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $17,354 vs Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences's $39,545, University of Wisconsin-Madison delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, University of Wisconsin-Madison's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
44 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Massachusetts Pharmacy
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $125,557 ten years after enrollment, 70% more than University of Wisconsin-Madison
Wisconsin-Madison
- Lower cost: Average net price of $17,354, roughly $22,191 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 89% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $20,484, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 45% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Massachusetts Pharmacy graduates concentrate in Health Professions (93% of degrees); Wisconsin-Madison in Business & Marketing (16%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences over University of Wisconsin-Madison. Median earnings of $125,557 ten years after enrollment vs $73,792.
Pick University of Wisconsin-Madison over Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Net price $17,354 vs $39,545.
Pick University of Wisconsin-Madison over Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. 89% completion rate vs 63%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and University of Wisconsin-Madison are close on paper, but University of Wisconsin-Madison wins the head-to-head, leading on 4 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
University of Wisconsin-Madison is the harder admit. It takes 45% of applicants, while Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences takes 85%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,269 to 1,427.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, University of Wisconsin-Madison sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, University of Wisconsin-Madison comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $17,354, about $22,191 a year below Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences's $39,545. Graduates of University of Wisconsin-Madison also borrow less: median debt of $20,484, against $25,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $88,764 before any change in aid. Choosing University of Wisconsin-Madison leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences graduates report median earnings of $125,557, compared with $73,792 at University of Wisconsin-Madison. That is a 70% advantage. Set against borrowing, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.2x to 0.28x.
So what: An earnings gap of 70% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Finishing the degree
University of Wisconsin-Madison graduates a larger share of its students, 89% versus 63%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 27% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick University of Wisconsin-Madison to keep costs and debt down; pick Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 5 of 6 core signals used here; where one school is missing a figure, that row is left out of the comparison rather than estimated.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. University of Wisconsin-Madison saves about $22,191 a year, yet Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences graduates earn $51,765 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Their academic identities diverge. Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences concentrates enrollment in Health Professions, Psychology, while University of Wisconsin-Madison leans toward Business & Marketing, Social Sciences. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $39,545 runs well above University of Wisconsin-Madison's $17,354.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $25,000, against $20,484 at University of Wisconsin-Madison.
- Business and consulting-track students: Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences has less business program depth, and University of Wisconsin-Madison offers the stronger options.
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of Wisconsin-Madison's enrollment of 36,902 far exceeds Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences's 3,451.
Full Data Breakdown
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Boston, MA · Private nonprofit
A full data profile for Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences — outcomes, cost, and admissions — is on its profile page.
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, WI · Public
With an enrollment of nearly 37,000 students, the University of Wisconsin-Madison is a strong choice for those who thrive in a vibrant, diverse environment. If you’re interested in fields like Business, Biology, or Computer Science, this school has solid programs that cater to your academic interests. The acceptance rate of 45% suggests a competitive atmosphere, but it’s also a place where students can find community and support among their peers.
Looking at outcomes, graduates from Wisconsin-Madison earn an average of $73,792 within ten years of completing their degree. This strong earning potential points to a positive return on investment for students. With a graduation rate of 89%, most students are not just moving through their programs but are also finding pathways to success after college. The affordability is another key factor, with a net price of $17,354, making it accessible for many families.
When it comes to finances, students graduate with a median debt of $20,484, which is manageable for the earnings they can expect. This balance between cost and potential earnings makes it a pragmatic choice for many. Students who tend to thrive here are those who take advantage of the resources available, engage in their studies, and connect with the vibrant campus life in Madison.
Rankings They Appear On
University of Wisconsin-Madison is featured on the Best Bachelor's Programs in Wisconsin ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Massachusetts Pharmacy's top program is Nursing (BSN) (93% of enrollment), while Wisconsin-Madison leads with Business Administration (16%).
Massachusetts Pharmacy
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Massachusetts Pharmacy) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Wisconsin-Madison).
The two schools feed different job markets. Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is strongest in Health Professions, Psychology, Physical Sciences, while University of Wisconsin-Madison concentrates in Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, Computer Science & IT. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Massachusetts Pharmacy
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences or University of Wisconsin-Madison?
University of Wisconsin-Madison is harder to get into, admitting 45% of applicants compared with 85% at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.
Which is more affordable, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences or University of Wisconsin-Madison?
University of Wisconsin-Madison is more affordable, with an average net price of $17,354 after aid versus $39,545 at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.
Do Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences or University of Wisconsin-Madison graduates earn more?
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences graduates earn more: median earnings of $125,557 ten years after enrollment, versus $73,792 at University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Which has a better graduation rate, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences or University of Wisconsin-Madison?
University of Wisconsin-Madison has the higher graduation rate, 89% versus 63%.
Should you choose Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences or University of Wisconsin-Madison?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose University of Wisconsin-Madison if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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How do Massachusetts Pharmacy and Wisconsin-Madison stack up against regional and national alternatives when evaluated on pure socioeconomic mobility, graduate earnings, and long-term return on investment? Explore the full, verified dataset on our comprehensive rankings directory.
