University of Minnesota Twin Cities vs University of Wisconsin Madison

University of Minnesota Twin Cities vs University of Wisconsin–Madison

Topic Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)

Both University of Minnesota Twin Cities and the University of Wisconsin–Madison are robust public research universities in the United States. University of Minnesota Twin Cities ranks #210 in QS and 87^th in Times Higher Education whereas University of Wisconsin–Madison ranks #110 in QS and 56^th in Times Higher Education. By subject, Wisconsin–Madison enjoys superior strengths in Life Sciences, Medicine, Agriculture, and Education. Minnesota is particularly robust in Engineering, Computer Science, Business, and Social Sciences, often finding itself in the top 100 globally in those subject areas.

General Information

The University of Minnesota Twin Cities, situated in Minneapolis–Saint Paul, admits around 50,000 students, one of the largest in the United States. It is the system's flagship campus of the University of Minnesota. The University of Wisconsin–Madison, the system's flagship school, is in the state capital, Madison, and has about 48,000 students. Both institutions have large urban-campus settings with diverse academic programs, rich athletics heritage, and a lively student population, although Madison is frequently described as having a traditional college-town environment. 

Acceptance Rate & Admissions

Both institutions are relatively selective for public flagships. The University of Minnesota Twin Cities has an acceptance rate of approximately 77%, and the University of Wisconsin–Madison is a bit more selective at about 43%. Wisconsin–Madison focuses on strong high school academic performance, scores on standardized tests (if the student chooses to submit them), and extracurricular activities. Academic preparation is also important to Minnesota, though with less strict admissions routes, such as a holistic review that takes into consideration aspects of student background and experience.

Research Impact & Facilities

The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a top-ranked public research university and one of the highest-ranked research institutions in the US, always placing among the top 10 in research expenditures, especially in health sciences, life sciences, and agriculture. It has strong laboratory networks, research specialization centers, and one of the country's largest continuing education programs. The Twin Cities campus is also a prominent research university, nationally ranked in the top 15–20 for research activity. It features top-tier research in engineering, biomedical science, data science, and the social sciences, augmented by top facilities like the Minnesota Supercomputing Institute and strong collaborations with industry in the Twin Cities metropolitan area.

Cost & Financial Aid

Both schools, as public institutions, have different tuition for in-state and out-of-state students. In-state tuition at Minnesota Twin Cities is a little less than Wisconsin–Madison's, and out-of-state tuition is generally similar at $35,000–$40,000 per year. Both schools offer financial aid, although Wisconsin–Madison has recently increased need-based aid for in-state students. Minnesota has scholarships and grants, including merit-based scholarships that are available and competitive to international students.

Career Outcomes & Alumni Success

Both universities' graduates succeed in employment and graduate school. Wisconsin–Madison has particularly high status in government, public policy, law, agriculture, and the sciences, and graduates can be found leading careers across the country and internationally. Minnesota Twin Cities graduates are served by the location of the university in the metropolitan area, with close connections to Fortune 500 firms based in Minneapolis–Saint Paul like Target, 3M, and General Mills. Both schools have large alumni bases that assist with career development, although Wisconsin's alumni base is slightly larger nationally, whereas Minnesota's is more directly tied to corporate and industry connections within the Midwest.