Madison College vs. Parkside

Comparable Facts

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

Madison Area Technical College is larger than Parkside based on total student enrollment (13,641 students vs. 3,925 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Madison Area Technical College is located in Madison, WI (Midsize City setting); University of Wisconsin Parkside is in Kenosha, WI (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Madison Area Technical College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Parkside is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Madison Area Technical College 14:1; University of Wisconsin Parkside 20:1.

Madison College vs. Parkside Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Madison College or Parkside? 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 Parkside than Madison College ($10,234 vs. $13,284).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Parkside are 50.7% lower than at Madison Area Technical College ($8,750 vs. $17,760).
• University of Wisconsin Parkside is 66.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Madison College (about $3,293 more per year; $8,270.00 vs. $4,977.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 140.2% higher at Parkside than at Madison Area Technical College (about $10,174 more per year; $17,429.00 vs. $7,255.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Wisconsin Parkside than at Madison Area Technical College (56% vs. 36%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Wisconsin Parkside students is 29.4% larger than aid received by Madison Area Technical College students ($7,598 vs. $5,872).

Madison College vs. Parkside Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Madison College or Parkside? 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 Parkside 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 Parkside 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Madison College - Open admission; Parkside - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Madison College Sep 30, 2026.

Madison College vs. Parkside Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Madison College and Parkside? 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 Parkside earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than Madison College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,000 vs. $37,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Madison Area Technical College graduates have a $9,965 lower median loan debt than Parkside graduates ($13,000 vs. $22,965).
• Among borrowers, Madison College graduates have an estimated $103 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Parkside graduates ($134 vs. $237).
• More Parkside graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Madison College students, three years after graduation. (54% 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.