UW Madison vs UIUC: cost, admissions and outcomes compared
Verified federal figures for University of Wisconsin-Madison and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, side by side. Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.
UW Madison vs UIUC at a glance
UW Madison admits 45.2% of applicants and UIUC 42.4% (CollegesRef 2026–27 edition). The average net price after grants is $16,600 at UW Madison and $13,042 at UIUC. Six-year graduation rates are 89.8% and 86.3%, respectively.
Source: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS and College Scorecard, reporting years 2025
What the data shows
Key differences
- UW Madison admits 45.2% of applicants and UIUC 42.4%, so UIUC is the more selective.
- The average net price after grants is $16,600 a year at UW Madison and $13,042 at UIUC; UIUC costs $3,558 less a year.
- For families earning up to $30,000, the net price is $3,424 at UW Madison and $871 at UIUC.
- 89.8% of students graduate within six years at UW Madison, against 86.3% at UIUC.
- Median earnings ten years after entry are $80,330 for UW Madison and $87,599 for UIUC; UIUC is $7,269 higher.
- Graduates leave with median federal debt of $18,375 at UW Madison and $17,750 at UIUC.
- UW Madison enrolls 36,902 students (large city) and UIUC 36,258 (small city).
Side by side
UW Madison and UIUC in numbers
The stronger figure in each cost and outcome row is in bold. Net price is what students who receive aid pay after grants; your own price depends on family income.
| Measure | UW Madison | UIUC |
|---|---|---|
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance rate | 45.2% | 42.4% |
| Applicants | 53,781 | 47,593 |
| SAT middle 50% (composite) | 1380–1520 | 1310–1520 |
| ACT middle 50% | 29–33 | 30–34 |
| Cost | ||
| Average net price (after grants) | $16,600 | $13,042 |
| Tuition, in state | $12,166 | $16,354 |
| Tuition, out of state | $44,191 | $36,706 |
| Cost of attendance | $29,943 | $34,226 |
| Net price by family income | ||
| Family income up to $30,000 | $3,424 | $871 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $3,837 | $2,983 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $6,026 | $5,924 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $15,839 | $11,952 |
| Over $110,000 | $28,208 | $29,998 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Graduation rate (six years) | 89.8% | 86.3% |
| First-year retention | 96.2% | 94.8% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $80,330 | $87,599 |
| Median federal debt at graduation | $18,375 | $17,750 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $209 | $202 |
| Size and setting | ||
| Total students | 36,902 | 36,258 |
| Type | Public | Public |
| Setting | City: Large | City: Small |
| Location | Madison, WI | Champaign, IL |
Source: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS and College Scorecard, reporting years 2025. Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.
Bachelor's programs both offer
UW Madison reports 100 bachelor's programs and UIUC 102; 73 are offered at both. The largest shared programs:
Questions about UW Madison vs UIUC
Every answer uses the figures in the table above.
Is it harder to get into UW Madison or UIUC?
UIUC is harder to get into by acceptance rate: UW Madison admits 45.2% of applicants and UIUC admits 42.4%. Middle 50% SAT scores: UW Madison 1380–1520; UIUC 1310–1520.
Which is cheaper, UW Madison or UIUC?
UIUC has the lower average net price after grants: $16,600 a year at UW Madison against $13,042 at UIUC. For families earning up to $30,000 it is $3,424 and $871. Your own price depends on family income and aid.
Do UW Madison or UIUC graduates earn more?
UIUC graduates earn more at the median: $80,330 ten years after entry for UW Madison and $87,599 for UIUC. Median federal debt at graduation is $18,375 and $17,750.
Which has a higher graduation rate, UW Madison or UIUC?
UW Madison does: 89.8% of UW Madison students graduate within six years, against 86.3% at UIUC.
How big are UW Madison and UIUC?
UW Madison has 36,902 students in Madison, WI and UIUC has 36,258 students in Champaign, IL.