Rockford University vs. Madison College

Comparable Facts

Compare Rockford University in Rockford, IL 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 Rockford University based on total student enrollment (13,641 students vs. 1,241 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rockford University is located in Rockford, IL (Midsize City setting); Madison Area Technical College is in Madison, WI (Midsize City setting).
• Rockford University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Madison Area Technical College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rockford University 10:1; Madison Area Technical College 14:1.

Rockford University vs. Madison College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rockford 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 Rockford University ($13,284 vs. $23,642).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rockford University are 35.7% lower than at Madison Area Technical College ($11,420 vs. $17,760).
• Rockford University is 659.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Madison College (about $32,803 more per year; $37,780.00 vs. $4,977.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 420.7% higher at Rockford University than at Madison Area Technical College (about $30,525 more per year; $37,780.00 vs. $7,255.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rockford University than at Madison Area Technical College (98% vs. 36%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rockford University students is 337.2% larger than aid received by Madison Area Technical College students ($25,671 vs. $5,872).

Rockford University vs. Madison College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Rockford University or Madison College? 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 Madison College and Rockford University.

• Madison Area Technical College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Rockford University 850/1070.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Rockford University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Rockford University - Test optional; Madison College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Madison College Sep 30, 2026.

Rockford University vs. Madison College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Rockford University and Madison College? 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.

• Rockford University's six-year graduation rate is 31%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for Madison College.
• Graduates from Rockford University earn a median of about $6,900 more per year than Madison College graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $37,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Madison Area Technical College graduates have a $12,000 lower median loan debt than Rockford University graduates ($13,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Madison College graduates have an estimated $124 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Rockford University graduates ($134 vs. $258).
• More Rockford University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Madison College students, three years after graduation. (60% 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.