EIU vs. Madison College

Comparable Facts

Compare Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, 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 EIU based on total student enrollment (13,641 students vs. 8,505 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Illinois University is located in Charleston, IL (Remote Town setting); Madison Area Technical College is in Madison, WI (Midsize City setting).
• Eastern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Madison Area Technical College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Illinois University 14:1; Madison Area Technical College 14:1.

EIU vs. Madison College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, EIU 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 EIU ($13,284 vs. $13,787).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Eastern Illinois University are 30.8% lower than at Madison Area Technical College ($12,282 vs. $17,760).
• Eastern Illinois University is 174.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Madison College (about $8,702 more per year; $13,679.00 vs. $4,977.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 123.5% higher at EIU than at Madison Area Technical College (about $8,962 more per year; $16,217.00 vs. $7,255.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Eastern Illinois University than at Madison Area Technical College (95% vs. 36%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Eastern Illinois University students is 120.7% larger than aid received by Madison Area Technical College students ($12,960 vs. $5,872).

EIU vs. Madison College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, EIU or Madison College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Madison College and EIU.

• Madison Area Technical College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Eastern Illinois University 880/1090.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: EIU - Test optional; Madison College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Madison College Sep 30, 2026.

EIU vs. Madison College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for EIU and Madison College? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Eastern Illinois University's six-year graduation rate is 59%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for Madison College.
• Graduates from Eastern Illinois University earn a median of about $5,800 more per year than Madison College graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,500 vs. $37,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Madison Area Technical College graduates have a $10,650 lower median loan debt than EIU graduates ($13,000 vs. $23,650).
• Among borrowers, Madison College graduates have an estimated $110 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than EIU graduates ($134 vs. $244).
• More EIU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Madison College students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.