University of Wisconsin-Madison vs. Northwestern University

Two Rivalry Colleges in Big Ten Conference

  • University of Wisconsin-Madison is a public school while Northwestern University is a private school.
  • University of Wisconsin-Madison is located in Madison, WI and Northwestern University is located in Evanston, IL.
  • Northwestern University has more expensive tuition of $65,997 than University of Wisconsin-Madison ($40,603).
  • Northwestern University has tighter acceptance rate of 9.24% than University of Wisconsin-Madison (53.81%).
  • Northwestern University has higher SAT scores of 1,530 than University of Wisconsin-Madison (1,430).
  • University of Wisconsin-Madison is larger with 48,956 students than Northwestern University (23,161 students).
University of Wisconsin-Madison

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Northwestern University

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#56 in National Universities
#1 in Wisconsin
Rankings#12 in National Universities
#2 in Illinois
Public, 4-yearsSchool TypePrivate, 4-years
Madison, WILocationEvanston, IL
Known as
1 Year Certificate
2 Year Certificate
Bachelor's
Post-Bachelor Certificate
Master's
Post-Master Certificate
Doctorate (Research)
Doctorate (Professional Practice)
Offered Degrees2 Year Certificate
Bachelor's
Post-Bachelor Certificate
Master's
Post-Master Certificate
Doctorate (Research)
Doctorate (Professional Practice)
Research University (very high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationResearch University (very high research activity)
Tuition & Fees
$11,205 Wisconsin residents
$40,603 out-of-state
Undergraduate$65,997
$12,289 Wisconsin residents
$25,615 out-of-state
Graduate$53,871
$12,757Financial Aid$53,533
Admission
$60 undergraduate
$75 graduate
Application Fee$75 undergraduate
$95 graduate
53.81%Acceptance Rate9.24%
34.51%Yield55.29%
1,430 SAT, 29 ACTTest Scores1,530 SAT, 34 ACT
Student Population
48,956Total Students23,161
36,306Undergraduate8,993
12,650Graduate14,168
1,384Online Enrollment1,123
Graduation Rate & Outcomes
89%Graduation Rate96%
Transfer-out Rate
94%Retention Rate98%
$68,000Average Earning after Graduation$93,400
Special Learning Opportunities and Student Services
Online Degree/Certificate Program Offered for Both Undergraduate and GraduateDistance Learning (Online Classes)Online Degree/Certificate Program Offered for Both Undergraduate and Graduate
ROTC
Study Abroad
Teacher Certifiate
Special OpportunitiesROTC
Study Abroad
Weekend/Evening College
Teacher Certifiate
✔ (Dormitory Capacity: 10,243)
$7,167 average annual costs
On-Campus Living✔ (Dormitory Capacity: 4,456)
$11,748 average annual costs
Not offered or not ReportedMeal PlanNot offered or not Reported
Faculties and Staffs
18 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio6 to 1
3,724 Full-time
1,092 Part-time
Number of Faculties2,325 Full-time
340 Part-time
15,984 Full-time
3,030 Part-time
Number of Staffs9,894 Full-time
544 Part-time
$123,803 for Faculties
$68,007 Part-time
Average Salary$163,111 for Faculties
$85,974 Part-time
All data used in our site is from IPEDS (The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System), U.S. Department of Education, academic year 2022-2023