College Comparison
Purdue 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
West Lafayette, IN
Madison, WI
Total Enrollment
58,658
51,044
Undergrad Enrollment
44,819
38,040
Student-Faculty Ratio
14:1
18:1
NCAA Athletics
—
Division I · FBS
Admissions
Acceptance Rate
49.9%
45.2%
Average GPA
3.9
4.0
SAT Range
1200–1480
1380–1520
ACT Range
27–34
29–33
Test Policy
Required
Optional
Application Fee
$60
$70
Total Applicants
78,745
65,894
Academics & Faculty
Full-Time Faculty
2,117
4,082
Women Faculty
37%
46%
Research Spending
$1.0B
$896M
Offers Online Degree
Yes
Yes
Student Body
Women
41%
53%
Men
59%
47%
White
54%
57%
Black / African American
3%
3%
Hispanic / Latino
7%
8%
Asian
12%
9%
International
17%
16%
Cost & Value
Sticker Price
$22,533
$21,406
Total Cost of Attendance
$26,172
$30,005
Avg Net Price
$12,421
$14,216
In-State Tuition
$9,718
$9,273
Out-of-State Tuition
$28,520
$37,904
Room and Board
$12,815
$12,133
Percent Receiving Aid
40.0%
35.0%
Avg Grant Amount
$11,294
$17,741
Outcomes
4-Year Graduation Rate
58.0%
73.0%
6-Year Graduation Rate
77.0%
89.0%
8-Year Graduation Rate
79.0%
90.0%
Retention Rate
93.0%
96.0%
Employment Rate
79.9%
80.0%
10 Year Median Earnings
$72,424
$73,792
Type
Public
Public
Location
West Lafayette, IN
Madison, WI
Total Enrollment
58,658
51,044
Undergrad Enrollment
44,819
38,040
Student-Faculty Ratio
14:1
18:1
NCAA Athletics
—
Division I · FBS
Acceptance Rate
49.9%
45.2%
Average GPA
3.9
4.0
SAT Range
1200–1480
1380–1520
ACT Range
27–34
29–33
Test Policy
Required
Optional
Application Fee
$60
$70
Total Applicants
78,745
65,894
Full-Time Faculty
2,117
4,082
Women Faculty
37%
46%
Research Spending
$1.0B
$896M
Offers Online Degree
Yes
Yes
Women
41%
53%
Men
59%
47%
White
54%
57%
Black / African American
3%
3%
Hispanic / Latino
7%
8%
Asian
12%
9%
International
17%
16%
Sticker Price
$22,533
$21,406
Total Cost of Attendance
$26,172
$30,005
Avg Net Price
$12,421
$14,216
In-State Tuition
$9,718
$9,273
Out-of-State Tuition
$28,520
$37,904
Room and Board
$12,815
$12,133
Percent Receiving Aid
40.0%
35.0%
Avg Grant Amount
$11,294
$17,741
4-Year Graduation Rate
58.0%
73.0%
6-Year Graduation Rate
77.0%
89.0%
8-Year Graduation Rate
79.0%
90.0%
Retention Rate
93.0%
96.0%
Employment Rate
79.9%
80.0%
10 Year Median Earnings
$72,424
$73,792
Explore by Location
Purdue is in West Lafayette, IN
Wisconsin is in Madison, WI
Frequently Asked Questions
Purdue University-Main Campus has an acceptance rate of 50%, while Wisconsin-Madison has an acceptance rate of 45%. This means Wisconsin-Madison is more selective than Purdue University-Main Campus.
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