Metropolitan State University vs. Madison College

Comparable Facts

Compare Metropolitan State University in Saint Paul, MN 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 Metropolitan State University based on total student enrollment (13,641 students vs. 6,660 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Metropolitan State University is located in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting); Madison Area Technical College is in Madison, WI (Midsize City setting).
• Metropolitan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Madison Area Technical College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Metropolitan State University 15:1; Madison Area Technical College 14:1.

Metropolitan State University vs. Madison College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Metropolitan State University 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 Metropolitan State University ($13,284 vs. $16,615).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Metropolitan State University are 10.7% lower than at Madison Area Technical College ($15,864 vs. $17,760).
• Metropolitan State University is 97.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Madison College (about $4,863 more per year; $9,840.00 vs. $4,977.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 35.6% higher at Metropolitan State University than at Madison Area Technical College (about $2,585 more per year; $9,840.00 vs. $7,255.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Metropolitan State University than at Madison Area Technical College (82% vs. 36%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Metropolitan State University students is 45.4% larger than aid received by Madison Area Technical College students ($8,538 vs. $5,872).

Metropolitan State University vs. Madison College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Metropolitan State University 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 Metropolitan State University.

• Madison Area Technical College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Metropolitan State University - Test optional; Madison College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Metropolitan State University Aug 1, 2027; Madison College Sep 30, 2026.

Metropolitan State University vs. Madison College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Metropolitan State University 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 Metropolitan State University 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 $4,992 lower median loan debt than Metropolitan State University graduates ($13,000 vs. $17,992).
• Among borrowers, Madison College graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Metropolitan State University graduates ($134 vs. $186).
• More Metropolitan State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Madison College students, three years after graduation. (57% 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.