Side-by-side
Iowa State University vs University of Wisconsin-Madison
The numbers that actually decide it — net price after aid, how hard each is to get into, and how many students finish — compared straight across. Net price beats sticker price every time.
Same c setting in the Midwest, but more selective (45% vs 89%) — a stretch target if Iowa State University is already on your list.
| Iowa State University | University of Wisconsin-Madison | |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 89% | 45% |
| Net price (in-state) what the average family actually pays after aid | $10,787 | $11,603 |
| Net price (out-of-state) | $28,881 | $42,103 |
| Sticker tuition (in-state) | $10,787 | $11,603 |
| Sticker tuition (out-of-state) | $28,881 | $42,103 |
| Graduation rate | 75% | 89% |
| Total enrollment | 25,367 | 36,902 |
Net price = sticker price minus the average grant aid for that school (IPEDS / Dept. of Education data). Real numbers vary by family income and student stats — verify each school's own Net Price Calculator before committing. Canonical: /compare/iowa-state-university-vs-university-of-wisconsin-madison.