Head-to-Head Comparison
University of Wisconsin-Madison vs Yale University
- Wisconsin-Madison Wins
- 15
- Tied
- 13
- Yale Wins
- 24
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of Wisconsin-Madison offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Yale University achieves a higher graduation rate (96% vs 89%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $23,777 compared to University of Wisconsin-Madison's $17,354. Students who choose University of Wisconsin-Madison benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $73,792 at ten years.
52 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Wisconsin-Madison
- Lower cost: Average net price of $17,354, roughly $6,423 a year less
Yale
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $100,533 ten years after enrollment, 36% more than University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Higher grad rate: 96% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $12,975, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 4% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #10
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Wisconsin-Madison graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (16% of degrees); Yale in Social Sciences (23%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick Yale University over University of Wisconsin-Madison. Median earnings of $100,533 ten years after enrollment vs $73,792.
Pick University of Wisconsin-Madison over Yale University. Net price $17,354 vs $23,777.
Pick Yale University over University of Wisconsin-Madison. THE World Rank #10 vs #27.
Pick Yale University over University of Wisconsin-Madison. 96% completion rate vs 89%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
University of Wisconsin-Madison and Yale University are close on paper, but Yale University wins the head-to-head, leading on 4 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Yale University is the harder admit. It takes 4% of applicants, while University of Wisconsin-Madison takes 45%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,427 to 1,534.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Yale University sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, University of Wisconsin-Madison comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $17,354, about $6,423 a year below Yale University's $23,777. Graduates of Yale University also borrow less: median debt of $12,975, against $20,484.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $25,692 before any change in aid. Choosing University of Wisconsin-Madison leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Yale University graduates report median earnings of $100,533, compared with $73,792 at University of Wisconsin-Madison. That is a 36% advantage. Set against borrowing, Yale University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.13x to 0.28x.
So what: An earnings gap of 36% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Finishing the degree
Yale University graduates a larger share of its students, 96% versus 89%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 7% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Research standing
In the Times Higher Education world table, Yale University sits higher, at #10 versus #27.
So what: Research rank matters most for students headed to graduate school or hoping to work in faculty labs. For undergraduates going straight into the job market, it is a weak predictor of earnings.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick University of Wisconsin-Madison to keep costs and debt down; pick Yale University for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 5 of 6 core signals used here; where one school is missing a figure, that row is left out of the comparison rather than estimated.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. University of Wisconsin-Madison saves about $6,423 a year, yet Yale University graduates earn $26,741 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Their academic identities diverge. University of Wisconsin-Madison concentrates enrollment in Business & Marketing, while Yale University leans toward Computer Science & IT. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $20,484, against $12,975 at Yale University.
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of Wisconsin-Madison's enrollment of 36,902 far exceeds Yale University's 6,758.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $23,777 runs well above University of Wisconsin-Madison's $17,354.
- Business and consulting-track students: Yale University has less business program depth, and University of Wisconsin-Madison offers the stronger options.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Test scores matter less at Wisconsin-Madison, where only about 50% of enrolled freshmen submitted any SAT or ACT.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 4 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, WI · Public
With an enrollment of nearly 37,000 students, the University of Wisconsin-Madison is a strong choice for those who thrive in a vibrant, diverse environment. If you’re interested in fields like Business, Biology, or Computer Science, this school has solid programs that cater to your academic interests. The acceptance rate of 45% suggests a competitive atmosphere, but it’s also a place where students can find community and support among their peers.
Looking at outcomes, graduates from Wisconsin-Madison earn an average of $73,792 within ten years of completing their degree. This strong earning potential points to a positive return on investment for students. With a graduation rate of 89%, most students are not just moving through their programs but are also finding pathways to success after college. The affordability is another key factor, with a net price of $17,354, making it accessible for many families.
When it comes to finances, students graduate with a median debt of $20,484, which is manageable for the earnings they can expect. This balance between cost and potential earnings makes it a pragmatic choice for many. Students who tend to thrive here are those who take advantage of the resources available, engage in their studies, and connect with the vibrant campus life in Madison.
Yale University
New Haven, CT · Private nonprofit
Yale University boasts an impressive graduation rate of 96%, indicating that most students who enroll successfully complete their degrees. This high level of achievement reflects the supportive academic environment and resources available to students.
According to Opportunity Insights data, Yale's graduates have a median earnings of $100,533 ten years after enrollment. While specific mobility rates are not available, the strong earnings potential suggests that graduates are likely to experience upward economic mobility, particularly when compared to peers from lower-income backgrounds.
The net price for attending Yale is $23,777, with a median debt of $12,975. This financial landscape allows students to invest in their education while keeping debt manageable. Students who thrive here tend to be those who are motivated and eager to engage deeply in their studies, particularly in top fields such as social sciences, biology, and engineering.
Rankings They Appear On
Yale University is featured on the Best Colleges in Connecticut ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Wisconsin-Madison's top program is Business Administration (16% of enrollment), while Yale leads with Sociology (23%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Wisconsin-Madison) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Yale).
The two schools feed different job markets. University of Wisconsin-Madison is strongest in Business & Marketing, while Yale University concentrates in Mathematics & Statistics. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into University of Wisconsin-Madison or Yale University?
Yale University is harder to get into, admitting 4% of applicants compared with 45% at University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Which is more affordable, University of Wisconsin-Madison or Yale University?
University of Wisconsin-Madison is more affordable, with an average net price of $17,354 after aid versus $23,777 at Yale University.
Do University of Wisconsin-Madison or Yale University graduates earn more?
Yale University graduates earn more: median earnings of $100,533 ten years after enrollment, versus $73,792 at University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Which has a better graduation rate, University of Wisconsin-Madison or Yale University?
Yale University has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 89%.
Should you choose University of Wisconsin-Madison or Yale University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose University of Wisconsin-Madison if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Yale University if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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