College Comparison
UIUC vs University of Wisconsin-Madison: Which is Better?
Side-by-side comparison of acceptance rates, SAT scores, tuition, earnings, and more, updated with the latest College Scorecard data.
School
UIUC
Champaign, IL
School
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, WI
Head-to-Head Stats
| Metric | UIUC | UW-Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 43.7% | 43.4%wins |
| SAT Range (25th–75th) | 1270–1510 | 1360–1510wins |
| ACT Range (25th–75th) | 29–34wins | 28–32 |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $34,501wins | $40,603 |
| Avg Net Price | $15,201wins | $16,928 |
| Median Earnings (10 yr) | $81,054wins | $73,792 |
| Graduation Rate | 84.9% | 89.3%wins |
| Retention Rate | 94.3% | 94.5%wins |
| Student–Faculty Ratio | 20:1 | 18:1wins |
| Total Enrollment | 34,623 | 35,665wins |
Verdict
Based on the data above, UW-Madison edges out UIUC on 6 of 10 measurable categories, including key factors like acceptance rate, earnings, and graduation rate. That said, the right choice depends heavily on your major, financial situation, and campus culture fit.
UIUC Strengths
- ✓ACT Range (25th–75th): 29–34
- ✓Tuition (Out-of-State): $34,501
- ✓Avg Net Price: $15,201
- ✓Median Earnings (10 yr): $81,054
UW-Madison Strengths
- ✓Acceptance Rate: 43.4%
- ✓SAT Range (25th–75th): 1360–1510
- ✓Graduation Rate: 89.3%
- ✓Retention Rate: 94.5%
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