Wheaton College vs. Wisconsin

Comparable Facts

Compare Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL 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 Wheaton College based on total student enrollment (51,044 students vs. 2,874 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wheaton College is located in Wheaton, IL (Large Suburban setting); University of Wisconsin Madison is in Madison, WI (Midsize City setting).
• Wheaton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Madison is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wheaton College 10:1; University of Wisconsin Madison 18:1.

Wheaton College vs. Wisconsin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wheaton College 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 Wheaton College ($14,235 vs. $31,356).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wheaton College are 7.9% lower than at University of Wisconsin Madison ($13,010 vs. $14,124).
• Wheaton College is 292.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wisconsin (about $33,943 more per year; $45,546.00 vs. $11,603.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.2% higher at Wheaton College than at University of Wisconsin Madison (about $3,443 more per year; $45,546.00 vs. $42,103.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wheaton College than at University of Wisconsin Madison (98% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wheaton College students is 57.8% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Madison students ($27,987 vs. $17,741).

Wheaton College vs. Wisconsin Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wheaton College 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 Wheaton College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Wisconsin Madison (1450) is 80 points higher than at Wheaton College (1370).
• Incoming Wisconsin students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at Wheaton College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wheaton College 1260/1470; University of Wisconsin Madison 1380/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wheaton College 28/32; University of Wisconsin Madison 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wheaton College - Test optional; Wisconsin - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wheaton College Aug 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 Wheaton College (3.75).
• Wheaton College has a higher acceptance rate (87.4%) than Wisconsin (45.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.9% at Wheaton College vs. 28.6% at Wisconsin.

Wheaton College vs. Wisconsin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wheaton College 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).

• Wheaton College's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than University of Wisconsin Madison's (82%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of about $10,500 more per year than Wheaton College graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,800 vs. $54,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Madison graduates have a $250 lower median loan debt than Wheaton College graduates ($22,250 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, Wisconsin graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wheaton College graduates ($230 vs. $232).
• More Wheaton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wisconsin students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 84%)

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.