Madison College vs. UWM

Comparable Facts

Compare Madison Area Technical College in Madison, WI with University of Wisconsin Milwaukee in Milwaukee, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is larger than Madison College based on total student enrollment (22,450 students vs. 13,641 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Madison Area Technical College is located in Madison, WI (Midsize City setting); University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Madison Area Technical College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Madison Area Technical College 14:1; University of Wisconsin Milwaukee 17:1.

Madison College vs. UWM Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Madison College or UWM? 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 UWM ($13,284 vs. $16,263).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee are 34.2% lower than at Madison Area Technical College ($11,684 vs. $17,760).
• University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is 108.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Madison College (about $5,421 more per year; $10,398.00 vs. $4,977.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 208.7% higher at UWM than at Madison Area Technical College (about $15,143 more per year; $22,398.00 vs. $7,255.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee than at Madison Area Technical College (91% vs. 36%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Wisconsin Milwaukee students is 8.1% larger than aid received by Madison Area Technical College students ($6,347 vs. $5,872).

Madison College vs. UWM Admissions comparison

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

• Madison Area Technical College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Wisconsin Milwaukee 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Madison College - Open admission; UWM - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Madison College Sep 30, 2026; UWM Sep 1, 2026.

Madison College vs. UWM Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Madison College and UWM? 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 University of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of about $8,400 more per year than Madison College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,100 vs. $37,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Madison Area Technical College graduates have a $11,958 lower median loan debt than UWM graduates ($13,000 vs. $24,958).
• Among borrowers, Madison College graduates have an estimated $124 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UWM graduates ($134 vs. $258).
• More UWM graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Madison College students, three years after graduation. (62% 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.