UCSD vs. Wisconsin

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California San Diego in La Jolla, CA 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 UCSD based on total student enrollment (51,044 students vs. 44,256 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California San Diego is located in La Jolla, CA (Large City setting); University of Wisconsin Madison is in Madison, WI (Midsize City setting).
• University of California San Diego is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Madison is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California San Diego 19:1; University of Wisconsin Madison 18:1.

UCSD vs. Wisconsin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSD 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 California San Diego than Wisconsin ($14,047 vs. $14,235).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Madison are 25.5% lower than at University of California San Diego ($14,124 vs. $18,970).
• University of California San Diego is 44.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wisconsin (about $5,155 more per year; $16,758.00 vs. $11,603.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21% higher at UCSD than at University of Wisconsin Madison (about $8,855 more per year; $50,958.00 vs. $42,103.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California San Diego than at University of Wisconsin Madison (59% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California San Diego students is 45.2% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Madison students ($25,757 vs. $17,741).

UCSD vs. Wisconsin Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSD 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 UCSD.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Wisconsin Madison (1450) is 70 points higher than at UCSD (1380).
• Incoming UCSD students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 31) as students at Wisconsin (31).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 1270/1480; University of Wisconsin Madison 1380/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 28/34; University of Wisconsin Madison 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSD - Test-free; Wisconsin - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSD Nov 30, 2026; Wisconsin Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wisconsin students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at UCSD (3.82).
• Wisconsin has a higher acceptance rate (45.2%) than UCSD (26.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at UCSD vs. 28.6% at Wisconsin.

UCSD vs. Wisconsin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSD 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).

• University of California San Diego's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than University of Wisconsin Madison's (82%).
• Graduates from University of California San Diego earn a median of about $3,100 more per year than Wisconsin graduates about ten years after starting college ($67,900 vs. $64,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California San Diego graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than Wisconsin graduates ($18,500 vs. $22,250).
• Among borrowers, UCSD graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wisconsin graduates ($191 vs. $230).
• More Wisconsin graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCSD students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 82%)

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.