Head-to-head · 2026
Carroll University vs University of Wisconsin-Madison
Compare average net price ($15,193 at Carroll University; $17,354 at University of Wisconsin-Madison), ROI score (9.55 vs 10.63), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($58,009 vs $73,792), and admissions selectivity (66.8% acceptance at Carroll University; 45.2% at University of Wisconsin-Madison) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Carroll University | University of Wisconsin-Madison |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 9.55 | 10.63 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $15,193 ✓ | $17,354 |
| 4-year avg net price | $60,772 ✓ | $69,416 |
| In-state tuition | $38,890 | $11,603 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $38,890 | $42,103 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $58,009 | $73,792 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 66.8% | 45.2% |
| Graduation rate | 70.7% | 89.6% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 78.3% | 96.2% ✓ |
| Median debt | $27,000 | $20,484 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 2,523 | 36,902 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1190 | 1427 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Carroll University | University of Wisconsin-Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $15,718 | $4,200 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $16,875 | $4,101 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $14,134 | $8,134 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $15,730 ✓ | $17,763 |
| Family income $110k+ | $14,891 ✓ | $27,292 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Carroll University | University of Wisconsin-Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 13.3% | 1.2% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 11.2% | 1.6% |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | 11.6% | 0.9% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 9.7% | 1.4% |
| Psychology, General | 4.9% | 2.8% |
| Biology, General | 4.3% | 3% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 0.3% | 6.1% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 4.1% | 0.4% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Carroll University reports the lower average net price by $2,161 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $8,644 difference over four years ($60,772 vs $69,416).
University of Wisconsin-Madison reports $15,783 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($73,792 vs $58,009). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 78.3% at Carroll University and 96.2% at University of Wisconsin-Madison. Median federal debt among completers is $27,000 vs $20,484, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Carroll University vs University of Wisconsin-Madison, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Carroll University is cheaper — average net price $15,193 per year vs $17,354 at University of Wisconsin-Madison. The annual difference of $2,161 adds up to about $8,644 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of Wisconsin-Madison reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $73,792 vs $58,009 at Carroll University. The gap in the federal data is $15,783. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
University of Wisconsin-Madison is more selective at 45.2% acceptance vs 66.8% at Carroll University.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.