UWO vs. Wisconsin

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Wisconsin Oshkosh in Oshkosh, 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 UWO based on total student enrollment (51,044 students vs. 12,953 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Wisconsin Oshkosh is located in Oshkosh, WI (Small City setting); University of Wisconsin Madison is in Madison, WI (Midsize City setting).
• University of Wisconsin Oshkosh 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 Wisconsin Oshkosh 22:1; University of Wisconsin Madison 18:1.

UWO vs. Wisconsin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UWO 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 Oshkosh than Wisconsin ($12,500 vs. $14,235).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Oshkosh are 33.4% lower than at University of Wisconsin Madison ($9,410 vs. $14,124).
• University of Wisconsin Madison is 36% more expensive for in-state tuition than UWO (about $3,071 more per year; $11,603.00 vs. $8,532.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 156% higher at Wisconsin than at University of Wisconsin Oshkosh (about $25,657 more per year; $42,103.00 vs. $16,446.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Wisconsin Oshkosh than at University of Wisconsin Madison (51% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Wisconsin Madison students is 168.6% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Oshkosh students ($17,741 vs. $6,605).

UWO vs. Wisconsin Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UWO 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 UWO.

• Incoming Wisconsin students have a 10 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 21 at UWO).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Wisconsin Madison 1380/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Wisconsin Oshkosh 19/24; University of Wisconsin Madison 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UWO - Test optional; Wisconsin - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wisconsin Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wisconsin students have a 0.64 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at UWO (3.24).
• UWO has a higher acceptance rate (86.5%) than Wisconsin (45.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.4% at UWO vs. 28.6% at Wisconsin.

UWO vs. Wisconsin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UWO 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 Wisconsin Oshkosh's (50%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of about $20,700 more per year than UWO graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,800 vs. $44,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Madison graduates have a $1,498 lower median loan debt than UWO graduates ($22,250 vs. $23,748).
• Among borrowers, Wisconsin graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UWO graduates ($230 vs. $245).
• More Wisconsin graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UWO students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 72%)

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.