Michigan Tech vs. Wisconsin

Comparable Facts

Compare Michigan Technological University in Houghton, MI with University of Wisconsin Madison in Madison, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Wisconsin Madison is larger than Michigan Tech based on total student enrollment (51,044 students vs. 7,403 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Michigan Technological University is located in Houghton, MI (Remote Town setting); University of Wisconsin Madison is in Madison, WI (Midsize City setting).
• Michigan Technological University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Madison is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Michigan Technological University 13:1; University of Wisconsin Madison 18:1.

Michigan Tech vs. Wisconsin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Michigan Tech or Wisconsin? 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 Madison than Michigan Tech ($14,235 vs. $16,879).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan Technological University are 7.6% lower than at University of Wisconsin Madison ($13,050 vs. $14,124).
• Michigan Technological University is 64.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wisconsin (about $7,520 more per year; $19,123.00 vs. $11,603.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.1% higher at Michigan Tech than at University of Wisconsin Madison (about $885 more per year; $42,988.00 vs. $42,103.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Michigan Technological University than at University of Wisconsin Madison (99% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Michigan Technological University students is 12.2% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Madison students ($19,898 vs. $17,741).

Michigan Tech vs. Wisconsin Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Michigan Tech or Wisconsin? 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 Wisconsin and Michigan Tech.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Wisconsin Madison (1450) is 210 points higher than at Michigan Tech (1240).
• Incoming Wisconsin students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 28 at Michigan Tech).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan Technological University 1130/1350; University of Wisconsin Madison 1380/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan Technological University 25/31; University of Wisconsin Madison 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Michigan Tech - Test optional; Wisconsin - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wisconsin Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wisconsin students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at Michigan Tech (3.78).
• Michigan Tech has a higher acceptance rate (92.4%) than Wisconsin (45.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at Michigan Tech vs. 28.6% at Wisconsin.

Michigan Tech vs. Wisconsin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Michigan Tech and Wisconsin? 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).

• University of Wisconsin Madison's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Michigan Technological University's (65%).
• Graduates from Michigan Technological University earn a median of about $1,200 more per year than Wisconsin graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,000 vs. $64,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Madison graduates have a $4,650 lower median loan debt than Michigan Tech graduates ($22,250 vs. $26,900).
• Among borrowers, Wisconsin graduates have an estimated $48 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Michigan Tech graduates ($230 vs. $278).
• More Wisconsin graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Michigan Tech students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 79%)

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.