UW-Madison vs Mizzou

Envision yourself immersed in the vibrant college towns of Madison, Wisconsin, and Columbia, Missouri, home to two esteemed universities: University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison) and University of Missouri-Columbia (MU). While both institutions share a commitment to academic excellence, they offer distinct experiences. UW-Madison boasts a lower acceptance rate, indicating its highly selective admissions process, while MU welcomes a more diverse student body. Explore their contrasting popular majors, ranging from Engineering and Biological Sciences at UW-Madison to Business and Education at MU. Discover the nuances in their graduation rates, reflecting the institutions' dedication to student success. Delve into the comparison table to uncover further insights into these universities' unique strengths and determine which aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	University of Missouri-Columbia	University of Wisconsin-Madison
Overview
Location	Columbia, Missouri	Madison, Wisconsin
Campus setting	City: Midsize	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	88.0%	95.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	76.5%	60.4%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $55 Graduate: $75	Undergraduate: $60 Graduate: $75
SAT range	1130 - 1350	1320 - 1500
ACT range	23 - 30	26 - 32
Students submitting SAT score	7.0%	15.0%
Students submitting ACT score	72.0%	55.0%
Total number of applicants	19,966	53,781
Total number of admissions given out	15,283	32,459
Admitted students who chose to enroll	4,843	8,465
Yield rate	31.7%	26.1%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Not 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: $27,977 Out of state: $46,952	In state: $27,418 Out of state: $55,306
Average net price	$18,249	$13,484
Tuition	In state: $10,017 Out of state: $28,992	In state: $9,273 Out of state: $37,161
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $6,710 Meal plan: $3,500	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)	85.0% Average amount $11,312	54.0% Average amount $10,932
Students receiving federal student loan	36.0% Average amount $5,270	26.0% Average amount $5,175
Students taking out private loans	8.0% Average amount $16,554	6.0% Average amount $16,550

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	23,696 Men 45.9% Women 54.1%	34,561 Men 47.5% Women 52.5%
Graduate students	7,705 Men 38.3% Women 61.7%	12,455 Men 46.6% Women 53.4%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	31.0%	50.6%
International students	4.1%	13.8%
Campus local/setting	City: Midsize	City: Large
Dormitory capacity	6,898	9,226
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Missouri Illinois Texas Kansas Colorado	Wisconsin Illinois Minnesota California New York

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Health Professions Ethnic Studies Communication and Journalism Education	Health Professions Business Social Sciences Engineering Computer and Information Science
Students to faculty ratio	18:1	17:1
Institutional accreditation	Higher Learning Commission	Higher Learning Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	72.5%	89.2%
Dropout rate	26.8%	10.0%
Transferred out	N/A	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $93,333 Year 2: $100,008 Year 3: $104,573 Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $84,087 Year 2: $80,628 Year 3: $96,108 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $89,564 Year 3: $93,226 Veterinary Medicine (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $80,803 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $85,805 Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $70,511 Year 2: $81,210 Year 3: $81,536 Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $89,866 Year 2: $74,953 Year 3: $79,864 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,895 Year 2: $62,012 Year 3: $79,424 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $72,907 Year 2: $67,101 Year 3: $78,960 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $71,579 Year 2: $69,897 Year 3: $78,050 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,571 Year 2: $66,004 Year 3: $74,926	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 Missouri-Columbia?

The University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison) is a large, public research university known for its strong academic programs across a wide range of disciplines, particularly in engineering, life sciences, and business. It's located in Madison, Wisconsin, a vibrant city known for its progressive politics and outdoor recreation. The University of Missouri-Columbia (Mizzou) is also a large, public research university, but it's particularly renowned for its journalism school, agriculture programs, and veterinary medicine. Mizzou is located in Columbia, Missouri, a smaller city with a more traditional college-town feel. UW-Madison generally has a higher overall academic ranking and a more competitive admissions process than Mizzou.
How do the academic reputations of UW-Madison and Mizzou compare?

UW-Madison generally holds a stronger academic reputation than Mizzou. UW-Madison consistently ranks among the top public universities in the United States, with many of its programs considered to be among the best in the world. Mizzou is also a well-respected institution, particularly within the state of Missouri and the Midwest, but its overall rankings are typically lower than those of UW-Madison. Both universities are members of the Association of American Universities (AAU), signifying their commitment to research excellence.
What are the tuition costs and financial aid opportunities at each university?

Tuition costs vary depending on residency. Generally, UW-Madison has higher tuition rates for both in-state and out-of-state students compared to Mizzou. However, both universities offer a range of financial aid options, including scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs. It's best to visit the financial aid websites of both universities to get personalized estimates based on your family's financial situation. UW-Madison may offer more merit-based scholarships to attract top students, while Mizzou may have more need-based aid available for Missouri residents.
How do the campus environments and student life differ between UW-Madison and Mizzou?

UW-Madison's campus is located in the heart of Madison, a lively city with a strong emphasis on outdoor activities and a progressive political climate. Student life at UW-Madison is characterized by a strong sense of school spirit, a wide range of student organizations, and a vibrant nightlife. Mizzou's campus is located in Columbia, a more traditional college town with a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Student life at Mizzou is centered around Greek life, athletics, and a strong sense of community. UW-Madison is known for its larger student body and more diverse student population, while Mizzou has a slightly smaller and more regionally focused student body.
Which university is better for specific academic programs, such as journalism, engineering, or business?

Mizzou is particularly well-known for its School of Journalism, which is consistently ranked among the top journalism programs in the country. UW-Madison is highly regarded for its engineering programs, particularly in chemical, mechanical, and electrical engineering. Both universities have strong business schools, but UW-Madison's Wisconsin School of Business often receives higher rankings. If you have a specific academic interest, it's important to research the strengths of each program at both universities.
What are the career opportunities and alumni networks like for graduates of UW-Madison and Mizzou?

Both UW-Madison and Mizzou have strong alumni networks that can provide valuable career support and networking opportunities for graduates. UW-Madison's alumni network is particularly strong in the Midwest and across the United States, with a significant presence in industries such as technology, finance, and healthcare. Mizzou's alumni network is also strong, particularly in Missouri and the surrounding states, with a strong presence in industries such as journalism, agriculture, and education. Both universities offer career services and resources to help students find internships and jobs after graduation.
How do the cities of Madison and Columbia compare in terms of cost of living, safety, and things to do?

Madison generally has a higher cost of living than Columbia, particularly when it comes to housing. Both cities are considered relatively safe, but it's always important to take precautions and be aware of your surroundings. Madison offers a wider range of cultural attractions, restaurants, and nightlife options due to its larger size and more diverse population. Columbia has a more relaxed and friendly atmosphere, with a strong focus on local businesses and community events. Madison is known for its outdoor recreation opportunities, with numerous lakes, parks, and bike trails, while Columbia offers access to the Missouri River and nearby state parks.
What are the admission requirements for UW-Madison and Mizzou?

UW-Madison generally has more selective admission requirements than Mizzou. Both universities consider factors such as high school GPA, standardized test scores (ACT or SAT), letters of recommendation, and extracurricular activities. UW-Madison places a greater emphasis on academic performance and may require higher test scores and a stronger GPA. Mizzou may be more flexible in its admission requirements, particularly for Missouri residents. It's important to check the specific admission requirements for each university on their respective websites.
Does one school have a better reputation for research opportunities?

Both UW-Madison and Mizzou are major research universities, but UW-Madison generally has a stronger reputation for research opportunities across a wider range of disciplines. UW-Madison receives significantly more research funding and has a larger number of research centers and institutes. However, Mizzou also offers excellent research opportunities, particularly in areas such as journalism, agriculture, and veterinary medicine. Students interested in research should explore the specific research opportunities available in their field of interest at both universities.
How does the size of the student body compare between the two universities?

UW-Madison has a larger student body than Mizzou. UW-Madison typically enrolls around 45,000 students, while Mizzou enrolls around 30,000 students. This difference in size can impact the overall campus environment and the availability of resources. UW-Madison's larger size may offer a wider range of academic programs and extracurricular activities, while Mizzou's smaller size may foster a stronger sense of community and more personalized attention from faculty.

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