Wisconsin vs. University of Minnesota-Rochester

Comparable Facts

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

University of Wisconsin Madison is larger than University of Minnesota-Rochester based on total student enrollment (51,044 students vs. 578 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Wisconsin Madison is located in Madison, WI (Midsize City setting); University of Minnesota Rochester is in Rochester, MN (Midsize City setting).
• University of Wisconsin Madison is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Minnesota Rochester is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Wisconsin Madison 18:1; University of Minnesota Rochester 13:1.

Wisconsin vs. University of Minnesota-Rochester Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wisconsin or University of Minnesota-Rochester? 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 University of Minnesota-Rochester ($14,235 vs. $14,953).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Minnesota Rochester are 0.9% lower than at University of Wisconsin Madison ($13,994 vs. $14,124).
• University of Minnesota Rochester is 29.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wisconsin (about $3,413 more per year; $15,016.00 vs. $11,603.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 180.4% higher at Wisconsin than at University of Minnesota Rochester (about $27,087 more per year; $42,103.00 vs. $15,016.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Minnesota Rochester than at University of Wisconsin Madison (78% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Wisconsin Madison students is 26.2% larger than aid received by University of Minnesota Rochester students ($17,741 vs. $14,057).

Wisconsin vs. University of Minnesota-Rochester Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wisconsin or University of Minnesota-Rochester? 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 University of Minnesota-Rochester and Wisconsin.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Wisconsin Madison (1450) is 280 points higher than at University of Minnesota-Rochester (1170).
• Incoming Wisconsin students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 25 at University of Minnesota-Rochester).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Wisconsin Madison 1380/1520; University of Minnesota Rochester 950/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Wisconsin Madison 29/33; University of Minnesota Rochester 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wisconsin - Test optional; University of Minnesota-Rochester - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wisconsin Jan 15, 2027; University of Minnesota-Rochester Jul 31, 2027.
• University of Minnesota-Rochester has a higher acceptance rate (71%) than Wisconsin (45.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.6% at Wisconsin vs. 20.3% at University of Minnesota-Rochester.

Wisconsin vs. University of Minnesota-Rochester Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wisconsin and University of Minnesota-Rochester? 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).

• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of about $6,600 more per year than University of Minnesota-Rochester 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 Rochester graduates have a $2,065 lower median loan debt than Wisconsin graduates ($20,185 vs. $22,250).
• Among borrowers, University of Minnesota-Rochester 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 University of Minnesota-Rochester 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.