Grinnell vs. Wisconsin

Comparable Facts

Compare Grinnell College in Grinnell, 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 Grinnell based on total student enrollment (51,044 students vs. 1,788 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Grinnell College is located in Grinnell, IA (Remote Town setting); University of Wisconsin Madison is in Madison, WI (Midsize City setting).
• Grinnell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Madison is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Grinnell College 9:1; University of Wisconsin Madison 18:1.

Grinnell vs. Wisconsin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Grinnell 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 Grinnell ($14,235 vs. $34,363).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Madison are 16.1% lower than at Grinnell College ($14,124 vs. $16,842).
• Grinnell College is 487% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wisconsin (about $56,503 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $11,603.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 61.8% higher at Grinnell than at University of Wisconsin Madison (about $26,003 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $42,103.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Grinnell College than at University of Wisconsin Madison (94% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Grinnell College students is 176.6% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Madison students ($49,077 vs. $17,741).

Grinnell vs. Wisconsin Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Grinnell 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 Grinnell.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Grinnell College (1480) is 30 points higher than at Wisconsin (1450).
• Incoming Grinnell 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: Grinnell College 1410/1540; University of Wisconsin Madison 1380/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 31/34; University of Wisconsin Madison 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Grinnell - Test optional; Wisconsin - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Grinnell Jan 15, 2027; Wisconsin Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Grinnell students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Wisconsin (3.88).
• Wisconsin has a higher acceptance rate (45.2%) than Grinnell (14.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at Grinnell vs. 28.6% at Wisconsin.

Grinnell vs. Wisconsin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Grinnell 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).

• Grinnell College's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than University of Wisconsin Madison's (82%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of about $5,300 more per year than Grinnell graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,800 vs. $59,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grinnell College graduates have a $9,080 lower median loan debt than Wisconsin graduates ($13,170 vs. $22,250).
• Among borrowers, Grinnell graduates have an estimated $94 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wisconsin graduates ($136 vs. $230).
• More Grinnell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wisconsin students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 84%)

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.