College Comparison
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus vs University of Wisconsin-Madison
Compare acceptance rates, costs, test scores, graduation rates, and more to find your best fit.
At a Glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
University Park, PA
Madison, WI
Total Enrollment
50,737
51,044
Undergrad Enrollment
42,604
38,040
Student-Faculty Ratio
16:1
18:1
NCAA Athletics
—
Division I · FBS
Admissions
Acceptance Rate
60.6%
45.2%
Average GPA
3.87
4.0
SAT Range
1240–1420
1380–1520
ACT Range
27–32
29–33
Test Policy
Optional
Optional
Application Fee
$65
$70
Total Applicants
88,478
65,894
Academics & Faculty
Full-Time Faculty
3,858
4,082
Women Faculty
43%
46%
Research Spending
$909M
$896M
Offers Online Degree
No
Yes
Student Body
Women
48%
53%
Men
52%
47%
White
58%
57%
Black / African American
5%
3%
Hispanic / Latino
9%
8%
Asian
7%
9%
International
15%
16%
Cost & Value
Sticker Price
$34,330
$21,406
Total Cost of Attendance
$41,338
$30,005
Avg Net Price
$27,450
$14,216
In-State Tuition
$19,286
$9,273
Out-of-State Tuition
$38,102
$37,904
Room and Board
$15,044
$12,133
Percent Receiving Aid
37.0%
35.0%
Avg Grant Amount
$11,336
$17,741
Outcomes
4-Year Graduation Rate
71.0%
73.0%
6-Year Graduation Rate
86.0%
89.0%
8-Year Graduation Rate
87.0%
90.0%
Retention Rate
93.0%
96.0%
Employment Rate
73.1%
80.0%
10 Year Median Earnings
$63,435
$73,792
Type
Public
Public
Location
University Park, PA
Madison, WI
Total Enrollment
50,737
51,044
Undergrad Enrollment
42,604
38,040
Student-Faculty Ratio
16:1
18:1
NCAA Athletics
—
Division I · FBS
Acceptance Rate
60.6%
45.2%
Average GPA
3.87
4.0
SAT Range
1240–1420
1380–1520
ACT Range
27–32
29–33
Test Policy
Optional
Optional
Application Fee
$65
$70
Total Applicants
88,478
65,894
Full-Time Faculty
3,858
4,082
Women Faculty
43%
46%
Research Spending
$909M
$896M
Offers Online Degree
No
Yes
Women
48%
53%
Men
52%
47%
White
58%
57%
Black / African American
5%
3%
Hispanic / Latino
9%
8%
Asian
7%
9%
International
15%
16%
Sticker Price
$34,330
$21,406
Total Cost of Attendance
$41,338
$30,005
Avg Net Price
$27,450
$14,216
In-State Tuition
$19,286
$9,273
Out-of-State Tuition
$38,102
$37,904
Room and Board
$15,044
$12,133
Percent Receiving Aid
37.0%
35.0%
Avg Grant Amount
$11,336
$17,741
4-Year Graduation Rate
71.0%
73.0%
6-Year Graduation Rate
86.0%
89.0%
8-Year Graduation Rate
87.0%
90.0%
Retention Rate
93.0%
96.0%
Employment Rate
73.1%
80.0%
10 Year Median Earnings
$63,435
$73,792
Explore by Location
Penn State is in University Park, PA
Wisconsin is in Madison, WI
Frequently Asked Questions
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus has an acceptance rate of 61%, while Wisconsin-Madison has an acceptance rate of 45%. This means Wisconsin-Madison is more selective than Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus.
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