Purdue University- West Lafayette vs University of Wisconsin- Madison

Purdue University – West Lafayette vs University of Wisconsin – Madison

Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)

Purdue University – West Lafayette and the University of Wisconsin – Madison are two highly ranked public research universities in the United States. University of Wisconsin ranks #110 in QS and 56^th in Times Higher Education whereas Purdue University – West Lafayette ranks #88 in QS and 79 in Times Higher Education.By discipline, Purdue is internationally distinguished for Engineering, Technology, and Computer Science, where it consistently ranks in the international top 20–30. Wisconsin excels in Agricultural Sciences, Biological Sciences, Social Sciences, and Education, consistently ranking in the international top 25–40, and is noted for research productivity. 

General Information

Purdue University, established in 1869, is in West Lafayette, Indiana, and admits approximately 52,000 students, representing one of the largest universities in the United States. The university has an international standing, particularly in science, technology, and engineering, and has a very strong focus on innovation and industry collaborations. The University of Wisconsin – Madison, founded in 1848, enrolls approximately 50,000 students and is located in Wisconsin’s capital city, Madison, a city consistently ranked among the best college towns in America. Wisconsin combines strong liberal arts traditions with world-class research in sciences and humanities.

Acceptance Rate & Admissions

Both universities are selective but accessible compared to Ivy League and other top private institutions. Purdue University – West Lafayette accepts approximately 50.3% of applicants, although individual programs like Computer Science and Engineering are considerably more competitive. The University of Wisconsin – Madison admits approximately 43% of its applicants in aggregate, albeit with more stringent selectivity requirements for students entering engineering, biological sciences, and computer science majors. Both universities pull in high numbers of foreign and out-of-state students, with Wisconsin having a slightly more restricted admissions profile.

Research Impact & Facilities

The University of Wisconsin – Madison is among the leading research universities in the country, with annual research spending of over $1.5 billion, ranking consistently among the top five U.S. public universities for research. It has strengths in biological sciences, agricultural research, social sciences, and the health sciences. Purdue University also possesses high research output, expending more than $600 million per year, with special strengths in engineering, aeronautics, agriculture, and computer science. Purdue excels in applied research, industry partnerships, and space exploration and technology advancements, whereas Wisconsin excels in basic sciences and public policy research.

Cost & Financial Aid

Being public universities, tuition is dependent on residency. At Purdue and Wisconsin, in-state students pay about $10,000–$12,000 per year and out-of-staters about $30,000–$40,000. Purdue has emphasized tuition freezes in recent years, and costs are relatively low compared to many peers. The University of Wisconsin gives generous aid to in-state students and is also very committed to affordability, though its non-resident tuition is a bit higher. Both universities offer financial aid opportunities, though international students can expect more limited resources than those offered by private universities. 

Career Outcomes & Alumni Achievement

Purdue University is especially well-regarded for engineering, computer science, and technology, with graduates achieving high levels of success in industry, research, and government. Purdue is popularly known as the "Cradle of Astronauts," with many graduates playing a role at NASA and in aerospace innovation. University of Wisconsin – Madison has a large alumni base with heavy support in science, education, health care, and government. Wisconsin graduates are well respected in research careers and academics, and Purdue graduates tend to enter high-paying jobs in technology and engineering fields. In general, Purdue is stronger for applied STEM career pipelines, whereas Wisconsin maintains broader recognition between disciplines and research-career work.