Hope College vs. Wisconsin

Comparable Facts

Compare Hope College in Holland, MI 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 Hope College based on total student enrollment (51,044 students vs. 3,395 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hope College is located in Holland, MI (Small City setting); University of Wisconsin Madison is in Madison, WI (Midsize City setting).
• Hope 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: Hope College 9:1; University of Wisconsin Madison 18:1.

Hope College vs. Wisconsin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hope College 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 Hope College ($14,235 vs. $30,700).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hope College are 8.3% lower than at University of Wisconsin Madison ($12,950 vs. $14,124).
• Hope College is 261.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wisconsin (about $30,367 more per year; $41,970.00 vs. $11,603.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.3% higher at Wisconsin than at Hope College (about $133 more per year; $42,103.00 vs. $41,970.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hope College than at University of Wisconsin Madison (97% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hope College students is 40.6% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Madison students ($24,945 vs. $17,741).

Hope College vs. Wisconsin Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Hope College 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 Hope College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Wisconsin Madison (1450) is 230 points higher than at Hope College (1220).
• Incoming Wisconsin students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 28 at Hope College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hope College 1100/1340; University of Wisconsin Madison 1380/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hope College 25/31; University of Wisconsin Madison 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hope College - Test optional; Wisconsin - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wisconsin Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wisconsin students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at Hope College (3.83).
• Hope College has a higher acceptance rate (79.2%) than Wisconsin (45.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.1% at Hope College vs. 28.6% at Wisconsin.

Hope College vs. Wisconsin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hope College 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 Hope College's (79%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of about $17,300 more per year than Hope College graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,800 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Madison graduates have a $4,750 lower median loan debt than Hope College graduates ($22,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Wisconsin graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hope College graduates ($230 vs. $279).
• More Wisconsin graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hope College students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 82%)

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.