Iowa vs. Wisconsin

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA 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 Iowa based on total student enrollment (51,044 students vs. 30,779 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting); University of Wisconsin Madison is in Madison, WI (Midsize City setting).
• University of Iowa 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 Iowa 16:1; University of Wisconsin Madison 18:1.

Iowa vs. Wisconsin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Iowa 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 Iowa ($14,235 vs. $21,765).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Iowa are 8.5% lower than at University of Wisconsin Madison ($12,920 vs. $14,124).
• University of Wisconsin Madison is 2.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Iowa (about $320 more per year; $11,603.00 vs. $11,283.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.2% higher at Wisconsin than at University of Iowa (about $8,732 more per year; $42,103.00 vs. $33,371.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Iowa than at University of Wisconsin Madison (76% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Wisconsin Madison students is 79.8% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($17,741 vs. $9,865).

Iowa vs. Wisconsin Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Iowa 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 Iowa.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Wisconsin Madison (1450) is 220 points higher than at Iowa (1230).
• Incoming Wisconsin students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 24 at Iowa).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 1130/1330; University of Wisconsin Madison 1380/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 21/28; University of Wisconsin Madison 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Iowa - Test optional; Wisconsin - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027; Wisconsin Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wisconsin students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at Iowa (3.81).
• Iowa has a higher acceptance rate (83.6%) than Wisconsin (45.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at Iowa vs. 28.6% at Wisconsin.

Iowa vs. Wisconsin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Iowa 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 Wisconsin Madison's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than University of Iowa's (71%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than Iowa graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,800 vs. $59,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $634 lower median loan debt than Wisconsin graduates ($21,616 vs. $22,250).
• Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wisconsin graduates ($223 vs. $230).
• More Wisconsin graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iowa students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 70%)

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.