Michigan vs. Wisconsin

Should I go to University of Michigan or University of Wisconsin Madison? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Michigan or Wisconsin is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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University of Michigan vs. University of Wisconsin Madison comparison
University of Michigan University of Wisconsin Madison College 3 College 4
University of Michigan University of Wisconsin Madison
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Overview

Michigan Wisconsin
Location Ann Arbor, MI Madison, WI
Setting Midsize City Midsize City
Enrollment 51,225 48,956
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #50 #105
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website umich.edu wisc.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Michigan Wisconsin
Tuition (In State) $16,404 $9,273
Tuition (Out of State) $55,002 $37,904
Room & Board $13,171 $12,894
Avg Net Price $19,318 $13,376
Avg Grant Aid $15,121 $11,171
% Receiving Grant Aid 67% 47%

Admission

Michigan Wisconsin
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 84,289 60,214
Admitted 14,914 29,539
Acceptance Rate 17.7% 49.1%
Enrolled % 47.3% 29.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.88 3.88
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Exceptional Exceptional
Applicant Competition Very High Low
ACT Range 31/34 26/32
SAT Range 1350/1530 1340/1510
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Feb 1, 2025 Jan 15, 2025

Academics

Michigan Wisconsin
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (17%)
  • Engineering (15%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Social Sciences (15%)
  • Biology (12%)
  • Business (10%)
  • Engineering (8%)
  • Communication (6%)

Outcomes

Michigan Wisconsin
Graduation Rate 90% 82%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $74,400 $64,800
Making Student Loan Payments 78% 84%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,103 $22,250
Median Loan Payment $207 $230

Diversity

Michigan Wisconsin
% Men 48% 47%
% Women 52% 53%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 62% 76%
% Black 4% 2%
% Hispanic 5% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 7% 8%
% Unknown Race 6% 0%

Students

Michigan Wisconsin
% In-State 51% 43%
% Out-of-State 44% 47%

Campus

Michigan Wisconsin
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Michigan is larger than than Wisconsin based on total student enrollment (51,225 students vs. 48,956 students)

Michigan vs. Wisconsin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Michigan or Wisconsin?

  • University of Michigan is 76.9% more expensive to attend than Wisconsin for in-state tuition ($16,404.00 vs. $9,273.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 45.1% higher at Michigan than University of Wisconsin Madison ($55,002.00 vs. $37,904.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Wisconsin Madison than Michigan ($13,376 vs. $19,318)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Madison are 2.1% lower than costs at University of Michigan ($12,894 vs. $13,171)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Michigan than University of Wisconsin Madison (67% vs. 47%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Michigan students is 35.4% larger than aid received University of Wisconsin Madison ($15,121 vs. $11,171)

Michigan vs. Wisconsin Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Michigan or Wisconsin? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Wisconsin or Michigan .

  • The average SAT score at University of Michigan (1384) is 84 points higher than at Wisconsin (1300)
  • Incoming Michigan students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (31) than students at Wisconsin (29)
  • Accepted freshman Michigan students have at the same average high school GPA (3.88) as students at Wisconsin (3.88)
  • Wisconsin has a higher acceptance rate (49.1%) than Michigan (17.7%)

Michigan vs. Wisconsin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Michigan or Wisconsin? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Wisconsin and Michigan.

  • The graduation rate at Michigan is higher than University of Wisconsin Madison (90% vs. 82%)
  • Graduates from University of Michigan earn on average $9,600 more per year than Wisconsin graduates after ten years. ($74,400 vs. $64,800)
  • University of Michigan students graduate with a $2,147 lower median federal student loan debt than Wisconsin graduates. ($20,103 vs. $22,250)
  • Michigan graduates are paying $23 less per month on federal student loans than Wisconsin graduates. ($207 vs. $230)
  • More Wisconsin graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Michigan 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/