ONU vs. Wisconsin

Comparable Facts

Compare Ohio Northern University in Ada, OH 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 ONU based on total student enrollment (51,044 students vs. 3,140 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ohio Northern University is located in Ada, OH (Distant Town setting); University of Wisconsin Madison is in Madison, WI (Midsize City setting).
• Ohio Northern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Madison is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ohio Northern University 13:1; University of Wisconsin Madison 18:1.

ONU vs. Wisconsin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ONU 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 ONU ($14,235 vs. $25,941).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Madison are 3.3% lower than at Ohio Northern University ($14,124 vs. $14,604).
• Ohio Northern University is 243% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wisconsin (about $28,197 more per year; $39,800.00 vs. $11,603.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.8% higher at Wisconsin than at Ohio Northern University (about $2,303 more per year; $42,103.00 vs. $39,800.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ohio Northern University than at University of Wisconsin Madison (97% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ohio Northern University students is 56.1% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Madison students ($27,696 vs. $17,741).

ONU vs. Wisconsin Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ONU or Wisconsin? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Wisconsin and ONU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Wisconsin Madison (1450) is 160 points higher than at ONU (1290).
• Incoming Wisconsin students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (31 vs. 26 at ONU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Ohio Northern University 1175/1400; University of Wisconsin Madison 1380/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Ohio Northern University 24/29; University of Wisconsin Madison 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ONU - Test optional; Wisconsin - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ONU Aug 15, 2027; Wisconsin Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Wisconsin students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at ONU (3.78).
• ONU has a higher acceptance rate (74.4%) than Wisconsin (45.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at ONU vs. 28.6% at Wisconsin.

ONU vs. Wisconsin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ONU and Wisconsin? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• University of Wisconsin Madison's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Ohio Northern University's (65%).
• Graduates from Ohio Northern University earn a median of about $6,400 more per year than Wisconsin graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,200 vs. $64,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Madison graduates have a $4,750 lower median loan debt than ONU graduates ($22,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Wisconsin graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ONU graduates ($230 vs. $279).
• More Wisconsin graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ONU students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 82%)

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.