Minnesota vs. Wisconsin

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Minnesota Twin Cities in Minneapolis, MN with University of Wisconsin Madison in Madison, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Minnesota Twin Cities is larger than Wisconsin based on total student enrollment (56,666 students vs. 51,044 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Minnesota Twin Cities is located in Minneapolis, MN (Large City setting); University of Wisconsin Madison is in Madison, WI (Midsize City setting).
• University of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Madison is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Minnesota Twin Cities 17:1; University of Wisconsin Madison 18:1.

Minnesota vs. Wisconsin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Minnesota 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 Minnesota ($14,235 vs. $17,209).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Minnesota Twin Cities are 1.9% lower than at University of Wisconsin Madison ($13,856 vs. $14,124).
• University of Minnesota Twin Cities is 48.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wisconsin (about $5,611 more per year; $17,214.00 vs. $11,603.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.8% higher at Wisconsin than at University of Minnesota Twin Cities (about $3,741 more per year; $42,103.00 vs. $38,362.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Minnesota Twin Cities than at University of Wisconsin Madison (65% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Wisconsin Madison students is 41.3% larger than aid received by University of Minnesota Twin Cities students ($17,741 vs. $12,552).

Minnesota vs. Wisconsin Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Minnesota 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 Minnesota.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Wisconsin Madison (1450) is 50 points higher than at Minnesota (1400).
• Incoming Wisconsin students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 28 at Minnesota).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Minnesota Twin Cities 1300/1500; University of Wisconsin Madison 1380/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Minnesota Twin Cities 26/31; University of Wisconsin Madison 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Minnesota - Test optional; Wisconsin - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Minnesota Jan 1, 2027; Wisconsin Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wisconsin students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at Minnesota (3.75).
• Minnesota has a higher acceptance rate (79.7%) than Wisconsin (45.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.3% at Minnesota vs. 28.6% at Wisconsin.

Minnesota vs. Wisconsin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Minnesota 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 Minnesota Twin Cities's (70%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of about $6,600 more per year than Minnesota graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,800 vs. $58,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates have a $2,065 lower median loan debt than Wisconsin graduates ($20,185 vs. $22,250).
• Among borrowers, Minnesota graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wisconsin graduates ($208 vs. $230).
• More Wisconsin graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Minnesota students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 74%)

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.