Blackburn College vs. Madison College

Comparable Facts

Compare Blackburn College in Carlinville, IL with Madison Area Technical College in Madison, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Madison Area Technical College is larger than Blackburn College based on total student enrollment (13,641 students vs. 513 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Blackburn College is located in Carlinville, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Madison Area Technical College is in Madison, WI (Midsize City setting).
• Blackburn College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Madison Area Technical College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Blackburn College 11:1; Madison Area Technical College 14:1.

Blackburn College vs. Madison College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Blackburn College or Madison College? 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 Madison Area Technical College than Blackburn College ($13,284 vs. $18,460).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Blackburn College are 44.2% lower than at Madison Area Technical College ($9,915 vs. $17,760).
• Blackburn College is 465.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Madison College (about $23,172 more per year; $28,149.00 vs. $4,977.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 288% higher at Blackburn College than at Madison Area Technical College (about $20,894 more per year; $28,149.00 vs. $7,255.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Blackburn College than at Madison Area Technical College (100% vs. 36%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Blackburn College students is 231.3% larger than aid received by Madison Area Technical College students ($19,456 vs. $5,872).

Blackburn College vs. Madison College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Blackburn College or Madison College? 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 Madison College and Blackburn College.

• Madison Area Technical College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 888/1125.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 16/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Blackburn College - Test-free; Madison College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Madison College Sep 30, 2026.

Blackburn College vs. Madison College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Blackburn College and Madison College? 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).

• Graduates from Blackburn College earn a median of about $2,700 more per year than Madison College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,400 vs. $37,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Madison Area Technical College graduates have a $13,000 lower median loan debt than Blackburn College graduates ($13,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Madison College graduates have an estimated $134 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Blackburn College graduates ($134 vs. $268).
• More Blackburn College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Madison College students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 46%)

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.