IIT vs. Wisconsin

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, IL 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 IIT based on total student enrollment (51,044 students vs. 8,834 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois Institute of Technology is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); University of Wisconsin Madison is in Madison, WI (Midsize City setting).
• Illinois Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Madison is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Institute of Technology 14:1; University of Wisconsin Madison 18:1.

IIT vs. Wisconsin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IIT 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 IIT ($14,235 vs. $24,796).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Madison are 18.6% lower than at Illinois Institute of Technology ($14,124 vs. $17,356).
• Illinois Institute of Technology is 351.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wisconsin (about $40,783 more per year; $52,386.00 vs. $11,603.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.4% higher at IIT than at University of Wisconsin Madison (about $10,283 more per year; $52,386.00 vs. $42,103.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Institute of Technology than at University of Wisconsin Madison (100% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Institute of Technology students is 151.1% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Madison students ($44,547 vs. $17,741).

IIT vs. Wisconsin Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IIT 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 IIT.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Wisconsin Madison (1450) is 140 points higher than at IIT (1310).
• Incoming Wisconsin students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 29 at IIT).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Institute of Technology 1180/1440; University of Wisconsin Madison 1380/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Institute of Technology 26/32; University of Wisconsin Madison 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IIT - Test optional; Wisconsin - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: IIT Mar 1, 2027; Wisconsin Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wisconsin students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at IIT (3.84).
• IIT has a higher acceptance rate (54.9%) than Wisconsin (45.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.7% at IIT vs. 28.6% at Wisconsin.

IIT vs. Wisconsin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IIT 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 Illinois Institute of Technology's (64%).
• Graduates from Illinois Institute of Technology earn a median of about $14,500 more per year than Wisconsin graduates about ten years after starting college ($79,300 vs. $64,800), 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 IIT graduates ($22,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Wisconsin graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IIT graduates ($230 vs. $279).
• More Wisconsin graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IIT students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 81%)

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.