Michigan vs. Wisconsin

Deciding between University of Michigan Ann Arbor and University of Wisconsin Madison? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

University of Michigan Ann Arbor
University of Wisconsin Madison

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Michigan Ann Arbor, MI
  • Wisconsin Madison, WI
  • Setting
  • Michigan Midsize City
  • Wisconsin Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Michigan 52,855
  • Wisconsin 51,044
  • Type
  • Michigan Public 4 Year
  • Wisconsin Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Michigan #48
  • Wisconsin #109
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Michigan -
  • Wisconsin -
  • Status
  • Michigan Non-profit
  • Wisconsin Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Michigan
  • Wisconsin

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Michigan $17,736
  • Wisconsin $11,603
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Michigan $60,946
  • Wisconsin $42,103
  • Room & Board
  • Michigan $15,328
  • Wisconsin $14,124
  • Average Net Price
  • Michigan $17,574
  • Wisconsin $14,235
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Michigan $25,099
  • Wisconsin $17,741
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Michigan 59%
  • Wisconsin 35%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Michigan 98,310
  • Wisconsin 65,894
  • Admitted
  • Michigan 15,373
  • Wisconsin 29,782
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Michigan 15.6%
  • Wisconsin 45.2%
  • Enrolled
  • Michigan 47.3%
  • Wisconsin 28.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Michigan 1450
  • Wisconsin 1450
  • Typical ACT score
  • Michigan 32
  • Wisconsin 31
  • Average High School GPA
  • Michigan 3.88
  • Wisconsin 3.88
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Michigan A
  • Wisconsin A
  • Admissions Standards
  • Michigan Exceptional
  • Wisconsin Exceptional
  • Applicant Competition
  • Michigan Very High
  • Wisconsin Low
  • ACT Range
  • Michigan 31/34
  • Wisconsin 29/33
  • SAT Range
  • Michigan 1360/1530
  • Wisconsin 1380/1520
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Michigan Test optional
  • Wisconsin Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Michigan Feb 1, 2027
  • Wisconsin Jan 15, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Michigan 11:1
  • Wisconsin 18:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Michigan
    • Social Sciences (17%)
    • Engineering (15%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Wisconsin
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Business (10%)
    • Engineering (8%)
    • Communication (6%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Michigan 90%
  • Wisconsin 82%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Michigan $74,400
  • Wisconsin $64,800
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Michigan 78%
  • Wisconsin 84%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Michigan $20,103
  • Wisconsin $22,250
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Michigan $207
  • Wisconsin $230

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Michigan 47%
  • Wisconsin 47%
  • % Women
  • Michigan 53%
  • Wisconsin 53%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Michigan Medium
  • Wisconsin Low
  • HBCU
  • Michigan No
  • Wisconsin No
  • % White
  • Michigan 62%
  • Wisconsin 76%
  • % Asian
  • Michigan 13%
  • Wisconsin 6%
  • % Black
  • Michigan 4%
  • Wisconsin 2%
  • % Hispanic
  • Michigan 5%
  • Wisconsin 5%
  • % Native American
  • Michigan 0%
  • Wisconsin 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Michigan 0%
  • Wisconsin 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Michigan 3%
  • Wisconsin 3%
  • % International
  • Michigan 7%
  • Wisconsin 8%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Michigan 6%
  • Wisconsin 0%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Michigan 52%
  • Wisconsin 45%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Michigan 43%
  • Wisconsin 46%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Michigan Yes
  • Wisconsin Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Michigan No
  • Wisconsin No
  • Meal Plan
  • Michigan Yes
  • Wisconsin Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Michigan Yes
  • Wisconsin No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Michigan Yes
  • Wisconsin Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Michigan Ann Arbor in Ann Arbor, MI with University of Wisconsin Madison in Madison, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Michigan Ann Arbor is larger than Wisconsin based on total student enrollment (52,855 students vs. 51,044 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Michigan Ann Arbor is located in Ann Arbor, MI (Midsize City setting); University of Wisconsin Madison is in Madison, WI (Midsize City setting).
  • University of Michigan Ann Arbor 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 Michigan Ann Arbor 11:1; University of Wisconsin Madison 18:1.

Michigan vs. Wisconsin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Michigan 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 Michigan ($14,235 vs. $17,574).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Madison are 7.9% lower than at University of Michigan Ann Arbor ($14,124 vs. $15,328).
  • University of Michigan Ann Arbor is 52.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wisconsin (about $6,133 more per year; $17,736.00 vs. $11,603.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 44.8% higher at Michigan than at University of Wisconsin Madison (about $18,843 more per year; $60,946.00 vs. $42,103.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Michigan Ann Arbor than at University of Wisconsin Madison (59% vs. 35%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Michigan Ann Arbor students is 41.5% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Madison students ($25,099 vs. $17,741).

Michigan vs. Wisconsin Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Michigan 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 Michigan.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Michigan Ann Arbor (1450) is the same as at Wisconsin (1450).
  • Incoming Michigan 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 Michigan Ann Arbor 1360/1530; University of Wisconsin Madison 1380/1520.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Michigan Ann Arbor 31/34; University of Wisconsin Madison 29/33.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Michigan - Test optional; Wisconsin - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Michigan Feb 1, 2027; Wisconsin Jan 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Michigan students have the same average high school GPA (3.88) as students at Wisconsin (3.88).
  • Wisconsin has a higher acceptance rate (45.2%) than Michigan (15.6%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.3% at Michigan vs. 28.6% at Wisconsin.

Michigan vs. Wisconsin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Michigan 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 Michigan Ann Arbor's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than University of Wisconsin Madison's (82%).
  • Graduates from University of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of about $9,600 more per year than Wisconsin graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,400 vs. $64,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates have a $2,147 lower median loan debt than Wisconsin graduates ($20,103 vs. $22,250).
  • Among borrowers, Michigan graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wisconsin graduates ($207 vs. $230).
  • More Wisconsin graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Michigan 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.