Loras College vs. Madison College

Comparable Facts

Compare Loras College in Dubuque, IA 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 Loras College based on total student enrollment (13,641 students vs. 1,189 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Loras College is located in Dubuque, IA (Small City setting); Madison Area Technical College is in Madison, WI (Midsize City setting).
• Loras 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: Loras College 12:1; Madison Area Technical College 14:1.

Loras College vs. Madison College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Loras 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 Loras College ($13,284 vs. $21,631).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Loras College are 38.1% lower than at Madison Area Technical College ($11,000 vs. $17,760).
• Loras College is 700.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Madison College (about $34,847 more per year; $39,824.00 vs. $4,977.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 448.9% higher at Loras College than at Madison Area Technical College (about $32,569 more per year; $39,824.00 vs. $7,255.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Loras College than at Madison Area Technical College (100% vs. 36%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Loras College students is 391.1% larger than aid received by Madison Area Technical College students ($28,835 vs. $5,872).

Loras College vs. Madison College Admissions comparison

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

• Madison Area Technical College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Loras College - Test-free; Madison College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Madison College Sep 30, 2026.

Loras College vs. Madison College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Loras 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 Loras College earn a median of about $11,500 more per year than Madison College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $37,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Madison Area Technical College graduates have a $14,000 lower median loan debt than Loras College graduates ($13,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Madison College graduates have an estimated $145 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Loras College graduates ($134 vs. $279).
• More Loras College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Madison College students, three years after graduation. (83% 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.