Head-to-head · 2026
University of Wisconsin-Madison vs University of Wisconsin-Parkside
Compare average net price ($17,354 at University of Wisconsin-Madison; $11,772 at University of Wisconsin-Parkside), ROI score (10.63 vs 10.86), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($73,792 vs $51,129), and admissions selectivity (45.2% acceptance at University of Wisconsin-Madison; 75.4% at University of Wisconsin-Parkside) 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 | University of Wisconsin-Madison | University of Wisconsin-Parkside |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 10.63 | 10.86 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $17,354 | $11,772 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $69,416 | $47,088 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $11,603 | $8,270 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $42,103 | $17,429 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $73,792 ✓ | $51,129 |
| Acceptance rate | 45.2% | 75.4% |
| Graduation rate | 89.6% ✓ | 40.4% |
| Retention rate | 96.2% ✓ | 68.7% |
| Median debt | $20,484 ✓ | $20,492 |
| Enrollment | 36,902 | 2,844 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1427 | 1090 |
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 | University of Wisconsin-Madison | University of Wisconsin-Parkside |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $4,200 ✓ | $7,425 |
| Family income $30–48k | $4,101 ✓ | $7,592 |
| Family income $48–75k | $8,134 ✓ | $11,241 |
| Family income $75–110k | $17,763 | $15,071 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $27,292 | $17,917 ✓ |
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 | University of Wisconsin-Madison | University of Wisconsin-Parkside |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 1.4% | 27.5% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 6.1% | 4.3% |
| Psychology, General | 2.8% | 5.7% |
| Biology, General | 3% | 3.5% |
| Communication and Media Studies | 1.5% | 4.5% |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 1.2% | 4.7% |
| Economics | 4.1% | 1% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 1.2% | 3.3% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
University of Wisconsin-Parkside reports the lower average net price by $5,582 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $22,328 difference over four years ($47,088 vs $69,416).
University of Wisconsin-Madison reports $22,663 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($73,792 vs $51,129). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 96.2% at University of Wisconsin-Madison and 68.7% at University of Wisconsin-Parkside. Median federal debt among completers is $20,484 vs $20,492, 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
University of Wisconsin-Madison vs University of Wisconsin-Parkside, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
University of Wisconsin-Parkside is cheaper — average net price $11,772 per year vs $17,354 at University of Wisconsin-Madison. The annual difference of $5,582 adds up to about $22,328 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 $51,129 at University of Wisconsin-Parkside. The gap in the federal data is $22,663. 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 75.4% at University of Wisconsin-Parkside.
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.