Minnesota vs. Wisconsin

University of Minnesota Twin Cities and University of Wisconsin Madison side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

University of Minnesota Twin Cities
University of Wisconsin Madison

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Wisconsin (45.2% admitted vs 79.7%). Typical SAT 1450 vs 1400.
  • Cheaper after aid: Wisconsin. Average net price is $14,235 vs $17,209 at Minnesota.
  • Graduation: Minnesota 70% vs Wisconsin 82%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Minnesota $58,200 vs Wisconsin $64,800 (median).
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Key differences

University of Minnesota Twin Cities University of Wisconsin Madison
Acceptance rate
Wisconsin more selective
Minnesota79.7%
Wisconsin45.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Wisconsin higher
Minnesota1300-1500
Wisconsin1380-1520
Average net price
Wisconsin $2,974 less
Minnesota$17,209
Wisconsin$14,235
In-state tuition
Wisconsin $5,611 less
Minnesota$17,214
Wisconsin$11,603
Out-of-state tuition
Minnesota $3,741 less
Minnesota$38,362
Wisconsin$42,103
Graduation rate
Wisconsin +12 pts
Minnesota70%
Wisconsin82%
Median earnings (10 years)
Wisconsin +$6,600
Minnesota$58,200
Wisconsin$64,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Minnesota 41,496
  • Wisconsin 65,894
  • Admitted
  • Minnesota 33,091
  • Wisconsin 29,782
  • Acceptance rate
  • Minnesota 79.7%
  • Wisconsin 45.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Minnesota 22.3%
  • Wisconsin 28.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Minnesota 1400
  • Wisconsin 1450
  • Typical ACT score
  • Minnesota 28
  • Wisconsin 31
  • Average high school GPA
  • Minnesota 3.75
  • Wisconsin 3.88
  • Typical high school grades
  • Minnesota A-
  • Wisconsin A
  • Admissions standards
  • Minnesota Very High
  • Wisconsin Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Minnesota
  • Wisconsin Low
  • SAT range
  • Minnesota 1300-1500
  • Wisconsin 1380-1520
  • ACT range
  • Minnesota 26-31
  • Wisconsin 29-33
  • Submit test scores
  • Minnesota Test optional
  • Wisconsin Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Minnesota Jan 1, 2027
  • Wisconsin Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Minnesota $17,214
  • Wisconsin $11,603
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Minnesota $38,362
  • Wisconsin $42,103
  • Room & board
  • Minnesota $13,856
  • Wisconsin $14,124
  • Average net price
  • Minnesota $17,209
  • Wisconsin $14,235
  • Average grant aid
  • Minnesota $12,552
  • Wisconsin $17,741
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Minnesota 65%
  • Wisconsin 35%
  • Graduation rate
  • Minnesota 70%
  • Wisconsin 82%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Minnesota $58,200
  • Wisconsin $64,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • Minnesota 74%
  • Wisconsin 84%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Minnesota $20,185
  • Wisconsin $22,250
  • Median loan payment
  • Minnesota $208
  • Wisconsin $230
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Minnesota 17:1
  • Wisconsin 18:1
  • Popular majors
  • Minnesota
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Business (11%)
    • Engineering (10%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Wisconsin
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Business (10%)
    • Engineering (8%)
    • Communication (6%)
  • Location
  • Minnesota Minneapolis, MN
  • Wisconsin Madison, WI
  • Setting
  • Minnesota Large City
  • Wisconsin Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Minnesota 56,666
  • Wisconsin 51,044
  • Type
  • Minnesota Public 4 Year
  • Wisconsin Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Minnesota #159
  • Wisconsin #109

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Minnesota Twin Cities in Minneapolis, MN with University of Wisconsin Madison in Madison, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

University of Minnesota Twin Cities is larger than Wisconsin based on total student enrollment (56,666 students vs. 51,044 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Minnesota Twin Cities is located in Minneapolis, MN (Large City setting); University of Wisconsin Madison is in Madison, WI (Midsize City setting).
  • University of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Madison is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Minnesota Twin Cities 17:1; University of Wisconsin Madison 18:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Minnesota Twin Cities are 1.9% lower than at University of Wisconsin Madison ($13,856 vs. $14,124).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 9.8% higher at Wisconsin than at University of Minnesota Twin Cities (about $3,741 more per year; $42,103 vs. $38,362).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Minnesota Twin Cities than at University of Wisconsin Madison (65% vs. 35%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Wisconsin Madison students is 41.3% larger than aid received by University of Minnesota Twin Cities students ($17,741 vs. $12,552).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Wisconsin than at Minnesota (31 vs. 28, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Minnesota and Wisconsin.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Minnesota Jan 1, 2027; Wisconsin Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Wisconsin average a 3.88 high school GPA, 0.13 higher than at Minnesota (3.75).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.3% at Minnesota vs. 28.6% at Wisconsin.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates have a $2,065 lower median loan debt than Wisconsin graduates ($20,185 vs. $22,250).
  • Among borrowers, Minnesota graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wisconsin graduates ($208 vs. $230).
  • More Wisconsin graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Minnesota students, three years after graduation (84% vs. 74%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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