Viterbo vs. Wisconsin

Comparable Facts

Compare Viterbo University in La Crosse, 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 Viterbo based on total student enrollment (51,044 students vs. 2,094 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Viterbo University is located in La Crosse, WI (Small City setting); University of Wisconsin Madison is in Madison, WI (Midsize City setting).
• Viterbo University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Madison is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Viterbo University 10:1; University of Wisconsin Madison 18:1.

Viterbo vs. Wisconsin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Viterbo 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 Viterbo ($14,235 vs. $21,933).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Viterbo University are 19.9% lower than at University of Wisconsin Madison ($11,320 vs. $14,124).
• Viterbo University is 195.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wisconsin (about $22,647 more per year; $34,250.00 vs. $11,603.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.9% higher at Wisconsin than at Viterbo University (about $7,853 more per year; $42,103.00 vs. $34,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Viterbo University than at University of Wisconsin Madison (100% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Viterbo University students is 32.9% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Madison students ($23,573 vs. $17,741).

Viterbo vs. Wisconsin Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Viterbo 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 Viterbo.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Wisconsin Madison (1450) is 240 points higher than at Viterbo (1210).
• Incoming Wisconsin students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 24 at Viterbo).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Viterbo University 1040/1380; University of Wisconsin Madison 1380/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Viterbo University 22/27; University of Wisconsin Madison 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Viterbo - Test optional; Wisconsin - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wisconsin Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wisconsin students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at Viterbo (3.5).
• Viterbo has a higher acceptance rate (72.4%) than Wisconsin (45.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.9% at Viterbo vs. 28.6% at Wisconsin.

Viterbo vs. Wisconsin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Viterbo 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 Viterbo University's (49%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of about $20,500 more per year than Viterbo graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,800 vs. $44,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Madison graduates have a $4,750 lower median loan debt than Viterbo graduates ($22,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Wisconsin graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Viterbo graduates ($230 vs. $279).
• More Wisconsin graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Viterbo students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 68%)

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.