Ripon College vs. Wisconsin

Comparable Facts

Compare Ripon College in Ripon, WI 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 Ripon College based on total student enrollment (51,044 students vs. 709 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ripon College is located in Ripon, WI (Rural Fringe setting); University of Wisconsin Madison is in Madison, WI (Midsize City setting).
• Ripon College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Madison is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ripon College 12:1; University of Wisconsin Madison 18:1.

Ripon College vs. Wisconsin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Ripon College 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 Ripon College ($14,235 vs. $23,772).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ripon College are 23.5% lower than at University of Wisconsin Madison ($10,800 vs. $14,124).
• Ripon College is 347.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wisconsin (about $40,297 more per year; $51,900.00 vs. $11,603.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.3% higher at Ripon College than at University of Wisconsin Madison (about $9,797 more per year; $51,900.00 vs. $42,103.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ripon College than at University of Wisconsin Madison (100% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ripon College students is 123.9% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Madison students ($39,716 vs. $17,741).

Ripon College vs. Wisconsin Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Ripon College 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 Ripon College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Wisconsin Madison (1450) is 320 points higher than at Ripon College (1130).
• Incoming Wisconsin students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 24 at Ripon College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ripon College 980/1270; University of Wisconsin Madison 1380/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Ripon College 21/27; University of Wisconsin Madison 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Ripon College - Test optional; Wisconsin - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wisconsin Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wisconsin students have a 0.47 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at Ripon College (3.41).
• Ripon College has a higher acceptance rate (79.8%) than Wisconsin (45.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.9% at Ripon College vs. 28.6% at Wisconsin.

Ripon College vs. Wisconsin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Ripon College 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 Ripon College's (70%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of about $15,600 more per year than Ripon College graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,800 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Madison graduates have a $5,750 lower median loan debt than Ripon College graduates ($22,250 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Wisconsin graduates have an estimated $59 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ripon College graduates ($230 vs. $289).
• More Wisconsin graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ripon College students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 77%)

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.