Madison College vs. Northland College

Comparable Facts

Compare Madison Area Technical College in Madison, WI with Northland College in Ashland, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Madison Area Technical College is larger than Northland College based on total student enrollment (13,641 students vs. 286 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Madison Area Technical College is located in Madison, WI (Midsize City setting); Northland College is in Ashland, WI (Remote Town setting).
• Madison Area Technical College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northland College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Madison Area Technical College 14:1; Northland College 5:1.

Madison College vs. Northland College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Madison College or Northland 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 Northland College ($13,284 vs. $23,253).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northland College are 34.7% lower than at Madison Area Technical College ($11,600 vs. $17,760).
• Northland College is 792.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Madison College (about $39,426 more per year; $44,403.00 vs. $4,977.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 512% higher at Northland College than at Madison Area Technical College (about $37,148 more per year; $44,403.00 vs. $7,255.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northland College than at Madison Area Technical College (100% vs. 36%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northland College students is 471.7% larger than aid received by Madison Area Technical College students ($33,572 vs. $5,872).

Madison College vs. Northland College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Madison College or Northland 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 Northland College and Madison College.

• Madison Area Technical College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsNorthland College 950/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsNorthland College 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Madison College - Open admission; Northland College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Madison College Sep 30, 2026.

Madison College vs. Northland College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Madison College and Northland 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 Madison Area Technical College earn a median of about $2,800 more per year than Northland College graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,700 vs. $34,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Madison Area Technical College graduates have a $13,943 lower median loan debt than Northland College graduates ($13,000 vs. $26,943).
• Among borrowers, Madison College graduates have an estimated $144 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northland College graduates ($134 vs. $278).
• More Northland College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Madison College students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.