University of Northwestern-St Paul vs. Wisconsin

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Northwestern St Paul in Saint Paul, MN 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 University of Northwestern-St Paul based on total student enrollment (51,044 students vs. 3,234 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Northwestern St Paul is located in Saint Paul, MN (Large Suburban setting); University of Wisconsin Madison is in Madison, WI (Midsize City setting).
• University of Northwestern St Paul is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Madison is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Northwestern St Paul 16:1; University of Wisconsin Madison 18:1.

University of Northwestern-St Paul vs. Wisconsin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Northwestern-St Paul 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 University of Northwestern-St Paul ($14,235 vs. $29,117).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northwestern St Paul are 18.3% lower than at University of Wisconsin Madison ($11,534 vs. $14,124).
• University of Northwestern St Paul is 226.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wisconsin (about $26,317 more per year; $37,920.00 vs. $11,603.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11% higher at Wisconsin than at University of Northwestern St Paul (about $4,183 more per year; $42,103.00 vs. $37,920.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Northwestern St Paul than at University of Wisconsin Madison (100% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Northwestern St Paul students is 24.8% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Madison students ($22,132 vs. $17,741).

University of Northwestern-St Paul vs. Wisconsin Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Northwestern-St Paul 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 University of Northwestern-St Paul.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Wisconsin Madison (1450) is 380 points higher than at University of Northwestern-St Paul (1070).
• Incoming Wisconsin students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 24 at University of Northwestern-St Paul).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northwestern St Paul 868/1271; University of Wisconsin Madison 1380/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northwestern St Paul 20/28; University of Wisconsin Madison 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Northwestern-St Paul - Test optional; Wisconsin - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Northwestern-St Paul Aug 1, 2027; Wisconsin Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wisconsin students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at University of Northwestern-St Paul (3.58).
• University of Northwestern-St Paul has a higher acceptance rate (93.5%) than Wisconsin (45.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at University of Northwestern-St Paul vs. 28.6% at Wisconsin.

University of Northwestern-St Paul vs. Wisconsin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Northwestern-St Paul 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 University of Northwestern St Paul's (64%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of about $23,700 more per year than University of Northwestern-St Paul graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,800 vs. $41,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northwestern St Paul graduates have a $180 lower median loan debt than Wisconsin graduates ($22,070 vs. $22,250).
• Among borrowers, University of Northwestern-St Paul graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wisconsin graduates ($228 vs. $230).
• More Wisconsin graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Northwestern-St Paul students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 78%)

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.