Northwestern vs. Wisconsin

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern University in Evanston, IL with University of Wisconsin Madison in Madison, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Wisconsin Madison is larger than Northwestern based on total student enrollment (51,044 students vs. 23,856 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern University is located in Evanston, IL (Small City setting); University of Wisconsin Madison is in Madison, WI (Midsize City setting).
• Northwestern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Madison is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern University 6:1; University of Wisconsin Madison 18:1.

Northwestern vs. Wisconsin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern or Wisconsin? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Wisconsin Madison than Northwestern ($14,235 vs. $26,830).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Madison are 33.1% lower than at Northwestern University ($14,124 vs. $21,126).
• Northwestern University is 488.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wisconsin (about $56,719 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $11,603.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 62.3% higher at Northwestern than at University of Wisconsin Madison (about $26,219 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $42,103.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern University than at University of Wisconsin Madison (53% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern University students is 263.2% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Madison students ($64,429 vs. $17,741).

Northwestern vs. Wisconsin Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northwestern or Wisconsin? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Wisconsin and Northwestern.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northwestern University (1540) is 90 points higher than at Wisconsin (1450).
• Incoming Northwestern students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at Wisconsin).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern University 1510/1570; University of Wisconsin Madison 1380/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern University 33/35; University of Wisconsin Madison 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern - Test optional; Wisconsin - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northwestern Jan 1, 2027; Wisconsin Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northwestern students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at Wisconsin (3.88).
• Wisconsin has a higher acceptance rate (45.2%) than Northwestern (7.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.3% at Northwestern vs. 28.6% at Wisconsin.

Northwestern vs. Wisconsin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwestern and Wisconsin? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Northwestern University's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than University of Wisconsin Madison's (82%).
• Graduates from Northwestern University earn a median of about $25,000 more per year than Wisconsin graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,800 vs. $64,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern University graduates have a $2,872 lower median loan debt than Wisconsin graduates ($19,378 vs. $22,250).
• Among borrowers, Northwestern graduates have an estimated $30 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wisconsin graduates ($200 vs. $230).
• More Northwestern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wisconsin students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 84%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.