Madison College vs. Marian University

Comparable Facts

Compare Madison Area Technical College in Madison, WI with Marian University in Fond Du Lac, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Madison Area Technical College is larger than Marian University based on total student enrollment (13,641 students vs. 1,246 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Madison Area Technical College is located in Madison, WI (Midsize City setting); Marian University is in Fond Du Lac, WI (Small City setting).
• Madison Area Technical College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Marian University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Madison Area Technical College 14:1; Marian University 11:1.

Madison College vs. Marian University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Madison College or Marian University? 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 Marian University ($13,284 vs. $22,697).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Marian University are 44.5% lower than at Madison Area Technical College ($9,849 vs. $17,760).
• Marian University is 606.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Madison College (about $30,201 more per year; $35,178.00 vs. $4,977.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 384.9% higher at Marian University than at Madison Area Technical College (about $27,923 more per year; $35,178.00 vs. $7,255.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Marian University than at Madison Area Technical College (100% vs. 36%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Marian University students is 271.3% larger than aid received by Madison Area Technical College students ($21,805 vs. $5,872).

Madison College vs. Marian University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Madison College or Marian University? 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 Marian University and Madison College.

• Madison Area Technical College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsMarian University 800/1080.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsMarian University 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Madison College - Open admission; Marian University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Madison College Sep 30, 2026.

Madison College vs. Marian University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Madison College and Marian University? 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 Marian 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 $14,000 lower median loan debt than Marian University graduates ($13,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Madison College graduates have an estimated $145 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Marian University graduates ($134 vs. $279).
• More Marian University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Madison College students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.