- Both Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus (Penn State) and University of Wisconsin-Madison are public.
- Penn State is located in University Park, PA and University of Wisconsin-Madison is located in Madison, WI.
- University of Wisconsin-Madison has more expensive tuition of $40,603 than Penn State ($40,188).
- Penn State has tighter acceptance rate of 50.31% than University of Wisconsin-Madison (53.81%).
- University of Wisconsin-Madison has higher SAT scores of 1,430 than Penn State (1,300).
- Penn State is larger with 50,028 students than University of Wisconsin-Madison (48,956 students).
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus View More Rivals | University of Wisconsin-Madison View More Rivals | |
| Rankings | #56 in National Universities #1 in Wisconsin | |
| Public, 4-years | School Type | Public, 4-years |
| University Park, PA | Location | Madison, WI |
Penn State| Known as | | |
| 1 Year Certificate 2 Year Certificate Associate Bachelor's Post-Bachelor Certificate Master's Doctorate (Research) Doctorate (Professional Practice) | Offered Degrees | 1 Year Certificate 2 Year Certificate Bachelor's Post-Bachelor Certificate Master's Post-Master Certificate Doctorate (Research) Doctorate (Professional Practice) |
| Research University (very high research activity) | Carnegie Classification | Research University (very high research activity) |
| Tuition & Fees | ||
| $20,234 Pennsylvania residents $40,188 out-of-state | Undergraduate | $11,205 Wisconsin residents $40,603 out-of-state |
| $25,518 Pennsylvania residents $43,828 out-of-state | Graduate | $12,289 Wisconsin residents $25,615 out-of-state |
| $11,574 | Financial Aid | $12,757 |
| Admission | ||
| $65 undergraduate $65 graduate | Application Fee | $60 undergraduate $75 graduate |
| 50.31% | Acceptance Rate | 53.81% |
| 27.85% | Yield | 34.51% |
| 1,300 SAT, 29 ACT | Test Scores | 1,430 SAT, 29 ACT |
| Student Population | ||
| 50,028 | Total Students | 48,956 |
| 41,745 | Undergraduate | 36,306 |
| 8,283 | Graduate | 12,650 |
| 116 | Online Enrollment | 1,384 |
| Graduation Rate & Outcomes | ||
| 83% | Graduation Rate | 89% |
| 1% | Transfer-out Rate | |
| 91% | Retention Rate | 94% |
| $57,200 | Average Earning after Graduation | $68,000 |
| Special Learning Opportunities and Student Services | ||
| Online Course (may not Degree Program) Offered for Both Undergraduate and Graduate | Distance Learning (Online Classes) | Online Degree/Certificate Program Offered for Both Undergraduate and Graduate |
| ROTC Study Abroad Weekend/Evening College Teacher Certifiate | Special Opportunities | ROTC Study Abroad Teacher Certifiate |
| ✔ (Dormitory Capacity: 14,275) $7,374 average annual costs | On-Campus Living | ✔ (Dormitory Capacity: 10,243) $7,167 average annual costs |
| Not offered or not Reported | Meal Plan | Not offered or not Reported |
| Faculties and Staffs | ||
| 15 to 1 | Students to Faculty Ratio | 18 to 1 |
| 2,994 Full-time 621 Part-time | Number of Faculties | 3,724 Full-time 1,092 Part-time |
| 14,044 Full-time 1,418 Part-time | Number of Staffs | 15,984 Full-time 3,030 Part-time |
| $100,357 for Faculties $66,773 Part-time | Average Salary | $123,803 for Faculties $68,007 Part-time |