UT Austin comparison · vs Wisconsin
UT Austin vs University of Wisconsin-Madison
UT Austin in-state tuition is $11,688/year vs Wisconsin in-state at $11,200/year. Out-of-state at UT is $44,908/year vs Wisconsin out-of-state at $41,600/year. For out-of-state families, the Texas residency pathway can convert the UT non-resident rate to the resident rate in 12 months, making UT after residency the cheapest of the four classifications.
Summary
UT Austin and Wisconsin-Madison are flagship public research universities of similar national stature. Both rank in the top 50 nationally, with Wisconsin sitting in the top 15 of national publics. Wisconsin has particularly strong programs in business, engineering, and biological sciences. Cost: Wisconsin in-state at ~$11,200 is comparable to UT in-state at $11,688; Wisconsin out-of-state at ~$41,600 is about $3,300/year cheaper than UT out-of-state. The Texas residency pathway makes UT after residency cheaper than Wisconsin at either rate.
Cost comparison
| Tuition + Required Fees | UT Austin | Wisconsin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-state (resident) | $11,688 | $11,200 | Wisconsin cheaper by $488 |
| Out-of-state (non-resident) | $44,908 | $41,600 | Wisconsin cheaper by $3,308 |
| UT after Texas residency | $11,688 | vs Wisconsin in-state: $488 more at UT |
Wisconsin and UT have similar in-state tuition (Wisconsin slightly cheaper). Wisconsin out-of-state at $41,600 is about $3,300/year cheaper than UT out-of-state at $44,908. For out-of-state students who establish Texas residency, UT after residency at $11,688 becomes cheaper than Wisconsin at either rate.
Where UT Austin wins
- McCombs Business generally outranks Wisconsin School of Business
- UT Computer Science ranks comparably to Wisconsin CS
- Austin tech industry pipeline is stronger than Madison
- Year-round outdoor climate vs Wisconsin winters (which are long and harsh)
- Lower out-of-state tuition vs many top publics in the residency pathway scenario
- Larger and more politically diverse alumni network
Where Wisconsin wins
- Wisconsin out-of-state at $41,600 is about $3,300/year cheaper than UT out-of-state
- Wisconsin engineering programs rank competitively with Cockrell
- Biological sciences and pre-med pipeline is very strong at Wisconsin
- Madison is consistently ranked among the best college towns in the country
- Strong tradition of student activism and academic culture
- Big Ten athletic tradition; Camp Randall football experience
Program comparison
For Business: McCombs (top 10) generally outranks Wisconsin Business (top 25). For Engineering: comparable rankings. For Computer Science: similar tier; both in top 15. For Biological Sciences and Pre-Med: Wisconsin is notably strong with research opportunities and medical school adjacency. For Agriculture: Wisconsin has agricultural programs; UT does not.
Admissions comparison
Wisconsin acceptance rate ~57%; UT ~31%. Wisconsin is more accessible. Both have strong honors programs. UT's top programs (McCombs, CS) are more selective than Wisconsin's comparable programs.
Culture and campus
Madison is a classic college town of ~270K, consistently rated among the best in the country. State capital plus university. Madison campus culture combines academic intensity, traditional progressive politics, and Big Ten athletic tradition. UT Austin is in a much larger urban setting (Austin metro ~2.5M) with music, tech, and government as the surrounding context. Climate is dramatically different (Wisconsin winters are long and harsh).
The Texas residency angle
Texas residency pathway makes UT cheaper than Wisconsin at either rate. UT after residency at $11,688 vs Wisconsin out-of-state at $41,600 is about $29,900/year savings. Wisconsin residency for out-of-state college students is hard to establish (requires 12 months substantive presence).
Frequently asked questions
Is UT Austin better than Wisconsin?
Is Wisconsin cheaper than UT Austin?
My Wisconsin student got into both. What should we consider?
Can my Wisconsin student establish Texas residency at UT?
How do the winters compare?
Talk to Luke
Your situation is specific. Get a written answer.
The site covers the general case. If your circumstances do not quite fit — divorce, military, scholarship interactions, late timing, prior denial — send a message. Luke replies personally, usually within one business day.
Or send a message and Luke will reply in writing: