Illinois vs. Wisconsin

Comparable Facts

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

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is larger than Wisconsin based on total student enrollment (59,238 students vs. 51,044 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is located in Champaign, IL (Small City setting); University of Wisconsin Madison is in Madison, WI (Midsize City setting).
• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 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 Illinois Urbana Champaign 20:1; University of Wisconsin Madison 18:1.

Illinois vs. Wisconsin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois 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 Illinois Urbana Champaign than Wisconsin ($13,973 vs. $14,235).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Madison are 2.7% lower than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign ($14,124 vs. $14,522).
• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is 37.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wisconsin (about $4,401 more per year; $16,004.00 vs. $11,603.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.9% higher at Wisconsin than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (about $6,979 more per year; $42,103.00 vs. $35,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign than at University of Wisconsin Madison (52% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Illinois Urbana Champaign students is 8.8% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Madison students ($19,299 vs. $17,741).

Illinois vs. Wisconsin Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Illinois 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 Illinois.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Wisconsin Madison (1450) is 30 points higher than at Illinois (1420).
• Incoming Illinois students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at Wisconsin).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 1310/1520; University of Wisconsin Madison 1380/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 30/34; University of Wisconsin Madison 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Illinois - Test optional; Wisconsin - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Illinois Jan 5, 2027; Wisconsin Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wisconsin students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at Illinois (3.79).
• Wisconsin has a higher acceptance rate (45.2%) than Illinois (42.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at Illinois vs. 28.6% at Wisconsin.

Illinois vs. Wisconsin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Illinois 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).

• The graduation rate at Illinois is the same as at University of Wisconsin Madison (82% vs. 82%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Urbana Champaign earn a median of about $1,700 more per year than Wisconsin graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,500 vs. $64,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than Wisconsin graduates ($20,500 vs. $22,250).
• Among borrowers, Illinois graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wisconsin graduates ($211 vs. $230).
• More Wisconsin graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Illinois students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 78%)

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.