UW-Madison vs University of Kansas (KU)

Envision yourself immersed in the vibrant college towns of Madison, Wisconsin, and Lawrence, Kansas, home to the esteemed University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Kansas, respectively. While both institutions share a commitment to academic excellence, they offer distinct experiences shaped by their unique characteristics. Delve into our comprehensive comparison table to uncover the nuances that set these universities apart. Explore the contrasting acceptance rates, discover the popular majors that each excels in, and gain insights into the diverse student body demographics. Uncover the graduation rates that reflect the institutions' dedication to student success. Whether you seek a large research university with a rich history or a mid-sized public university with a strong focus on undergraduate education, this comparison will guide you towards finding the ideal academic environment to nurture your intellectual growth and personal development.

	University of Kansas	University of Wisconsin-Madison
Overview
Location	Lawrence, Kansas	Madison, Wisconsin
Campus setting	City: Small	City: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	85.0%	95.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	92.5%	60.4%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $40 Graduate: $65	Undergraduate: $60 Graduate: $75
SAT range	1090 - 1330	1320 - 1500
ACT range	21 - 29	26 - 32
Students submitting SAT score	12.0%	15.0%
Students submitting ACT score	80.0%	55.0%
Total number of applicants	15,275	53,781
Total number of admissions given out	14,129	32,459
Admitted students who chose to enroll	4,119	8,465
Yield rate	29.2%	26.1%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $25,259 Out of state: $42,127	In state: $27,418 Out of state: $55,306
Average net price	$18,608	$13,484
Tuition	In state: $10,092 Out of state: $26,960	In state: $9,273 Out of state: $37,161
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $6,100 Meal plan: $3,800	Room/dormitory: $7,367 Meal plan: $4,100
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	80.0% Average amount $10,408	54.0% Average amount $10,932
Students receiving federal student loan	40.0% Average amount $5,220	26.0% Average amount $5,175
Students taking out private loans	6.0% Average amount $13,036	6.0% Average amount $16,550

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	19,158 Men 46.8% Women 53.2%	34,561 Men 47.5% Women 52.5%
Graduate students	7,622 Men 42.7% Women 57.3%	12,455 Men 46.6% Women 53.4%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	41.5%	50.6%
International students	6.8%	13.8%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	City: Large
Dormitory capacity	5,235	9,226
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Kansas Missouri Illinois Texas Colorado	Wisconsin Illinois Minnesota California New York

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Business Education Engineering Biological and Biomedical Sciences	Health Professions Business Social Sciences Engineering Computer and Information Science
Students to faculty ratio	17:1	17:1
Institutional accreditation	Higher Learning Commission	Higher Learning Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	66.0%	89.2%
Dropout rate	7.8%	10.0%
Transferred out	24.6%	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $160,586 Year 2: $170,720 Year 3: $156,139 Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $112,189 Year 2: $119,061 Year 3: $123,797 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $80,966 Year 2: $73,299 Year 3: $88,195 Petroleum Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $71,179 Year 2: $63,005 Year 3: $81,042 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $78,614 Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $67,617 Year 2: $72,625 Year 3: $77,366 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $64,974 Year 2: $66,001 Year 3: $73,900 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $65,436 Year 2: $59,722 Year 3: $72,306 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $64,919 Year 2: $64,990 Year 3: $68,960 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $56,347 Year 2: $53,108 Year 3: $68,650	Finance and Financial Management Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $107,256 Year 3: $131,458 Marketing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $113,083 Year 2: $111,992 Year 3: $130,357 Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $112,390 Year 2: $113,091 Year 3: $124,360 Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $96,320 Year 2: $117,042 Year 3: $123,777 Engineering, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $110,338 Year 2: $106,421 Year 3: $111,424 Real Estate (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $115,339 Year 3: $104,219 Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $115,387 Year 2: $100,213 Year 3: $103,937 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $78,839 Year 2: $81,997 Year 3: $97,306 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $85,538 Year 3: $94,093 Real Estate (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,730 Year 2: $73,949 Year 3: $91,306

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Kansas?

The University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison) is a large, public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, known for its strong academic programs across a wide range of disciplines, particularly in engineering, life sciences, and business. The University of Kansas (KU), located in Lawrence, Kansas, is also a large public research university, but it's particularly renowned for its programs in journalism, architecture, and pharmacy. UW-Madison generally has a higher overall ranking and is more selective in its admissions process. The campus environments also differ; Madison offers a vibrant city atmosphere with a strong connection to the state government, while Lawrence provides a more traditional college town experience.
How do the academic reputations of UW-Madison and KU compare?

UW-Madison generally holds a stronger academic reputation than KU, particularly in STEM fields. It consistently ranks higher in national and global university rankings. While KU has excellent programs, especially in journalism, architecture, and pharmacy, UW-Madison's broader range of highly-ranked programs gives it a slight edge in overall academic prestige.
What is the cost of attendance at UW-Madison versus KU?

The cost of attendance varies depending on residency. Generally, UW-Madison is more expensive for out-of-state students compared to KU. For in-state students, UW-Madison might be slightly more affordable, but this can fluctuate. It's best to check the official websites of both universities for the most up-to-date tuition and fee information, as well as to explore available financial aid and scholarship opportunities.
What are the campus environments like at UW-Madison and KU?

UW-Madison is located in the vibrant city of Madison, offering a blend of urban and college town experiences. The campus is situated on an isthmus between two lakes, providing beautiful scenery and recreational opportunities. KU, on the other hand, is located in Lawrence, a classic college town with a strong sense of community. The KU campus is known for its historic architecture and picturesque setting on Mount Oread.
What types of students typically thrive at UW-Madison versus KU?

UW-Madison tends to attract ambitious, academically-focused students who enjoy a lively city environment and a wide range of extracurricular activities. Students who are independent, self-motivated, and comfortable in a large university setting often thrive there. KU attracts students who appreciate a strong sense of community, a more traditional college town atmosphere, and programs with a strong emphasis on practical application. Students who are looking for a close-knit environment and a supportive academic community may find KU a better fit.
What are the popular majors at each university?

At UW-Madison, popular majors include engineering (especially electrical, mechanical, and chemical), business, computer science, biology, and political science. At KU, popular majors include journalism, architecture, pharmacy, business, and engineering (particularly aerospace and petroleum). Both universities offer a wide array of programs, but these are some of their areas of particular strength and popularity.
How do the research opportunities compare between UW-Madison and KU?

Both UW-Madison and KU are research universities, offering numerous opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to get involved in research. UW-Madison, being a larger and more highly-ranked research institution, generally has a greater volume of research activity and funding across a broader range of disciplines. However, KU also provides significant research opportunities, particularly in its areas of specialization, such as pharmacy and engineering. Students interested in research should explore the specific research labs and faculty within their areas of interest at both universities.
What are the athletic programs like at UW-Madison and KU?

Both UW-Madison and KU have strong athletic programs and are members of major athletic conferences (Big Ten for UW-Madison and Big 12 for KU). UW-Madison is known for its strong football, hockey, and volleyball programs, while KU is particularly renowned for its basketball program, which has a long and storied history. Both universities offer a wide range of varsity and intramural sports, providing ample opportunities for students to participate in athletics at various levels.
How do the career services and job placement rates compare?

Both UW-Madison and KU offer comprehensive career services to help students with internships, job searches, and career planning. UW-Madison's strong academic reputation and extensive alumni network often lead to excellent job placement rates, particularly in the Midwest and nationally. KU also has a strong career services program and benefits from its alumni network, especially within the Kansas City metropolitan area and the broader Midwest region. The specific job placement rates can vary depending on the major and industry.
What are the similarities between UW-Madison and KU?

Both UW-Madison and KU are large, public research universities with a commitment to providing high-quality education and fostering research. They both offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, a vibrant campus life with numerous student organizations, and strong athletic programs. Both universities also have a strong sense of tradition and pride, and they play a significant role in their respective states.

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