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Texas A&M University vs University of Wisconsin-Madison

A comprehensive side-by-side comparison of academics, cost, admissions, campus life and career outcomes to help you choose.

63.0% Texas A&M acceptance
49.0% UW-Madison acceptance
$3,240 Texas A&M cheaper over 4 years
Updated 2026 · Data: NCES, College Scorecard, IPEDS All figures in USD unless noted

School Overview

Texas A&M
College Station, Texas
Public
Founded
1876
Enrollment
74,829
Setting
Suburban
UW-Madison
Madison, Wisconsin
Public
Founded
1848
Enrollment
49,886
Setting
Urban

At a Glance

Tuition Texas A&M saves $516
Texas A&M
$40,087
UW-Madison
$40,603
Acceptance Rate UW-Madison more selective
Texas A&M
63.0%
UW-Madison
49.0%
Graduation Rate UW-Madison higher
Texas A&M
83%
UW-Madison
89%
Avg SAT Score UW-Madison higher
Texas A&M
1290
UW-Madison
1390
Starting Salary Texas A&M higher
Texas A&M
$66,300
UW-Madison
$66,200

Detailed Comparison

Metric Texas A&M UW-Madison Edge
Tuition (Out-of-State)$40,087$40,603Texas A&M
Tuition (In-State)$12,413$11,205UW-Madison
Room & Board$12,938$13,232Texas A&M
Acceptance Rate63.0%49.0%UW-Madison
Graduation Rate83%89%UW-Madison
Average SAT12901390UW-Madison
Student-Faculty Ratio19:117:1UW-Madison
Enrollment74,82949,886-
Avg Financial Aid$13,700$15,470UW-Madison
Starting Salary$66,300$66,200Texas A&M
Endowment$17.1B$4.1BTexas A&M
Campus Size5,200 acres936 acres-

Total Cost Comparison (4 Years)

Estimated sticker price before financial aid.

Texas A&M
$212,100
4-year total (out-of-state)
VS
UW-Madison
$215,340
4-year total (out-of-state)
After average financial aid, estimated net cost: Texas A&M = $157,300 | UW-Madison = $153,460. Your actual cost may differ. Use each school's Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate.

Popular Majors

Texas A&M Top Majors

EngineeringBusinessBiologyAgricultureBiomedical Science

UW-Madison Top Majors

Computer ScienceBiologyEngineeringEconomicsPsychology

Campus & Student Life

Setting
Texas A&MSuburban
UW-MadisonUrban
Campus Size
Texas A&M5,200 ac
UW-Madison936 ac
Athletics
Texas A&MNCAA D1
UW-MadisonNCAA D1
Region
Texas A&MSouth
UW-MadisonMidwest
Founded
Texas A&M1876
UW-Madison1848
Enrollment
Texas A&M74,829
UW-Madison49,886

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Texas A&M or UW-Madison harder to get into?+
UW-Madison is more selective with an acceptance rate of 49.0% compared to 63.0%. Both schools look at GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, essays, and recommendations in their admissions process.
Which is cheaper, Texas A&M or UW-Madison?+
At sticker price, Texas A&M costs less over 4 years ($212,100 vs $215,340). However, financial aid can dramatically change the actual cost. Texas A&M offers an average of $13,700/year in aid while UW-Madison offers $15,470/year. Always compare your actual net price after aid.
What are the average SAT scores for Texas A&M and UW-Madison?+
The average SAT score at Texas A&M is 1290 and at UW-Madison it is 1390. Keep in mind that admitted students often score across a range, and many schools practice holistic admissions where test scores are just one factor.
Do Texas A&M or UW-Madison graduates earn more?+
Graduates of Texas A&M have a higher average starting salary ($66,300 vs $66,200). Salary outcomes vary significantly by major, industry, and location — so this is a general average across all graduates.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at each school?+
Texas A&M has a 19:1 student-to-faculty ratio while UW-Madison has 17:1. A lower ratio generally means smaller class sizes and more individual attention from professors.
How do Texas A&M and UW-Madison compare for campus life?+
Texas A&M is located in College Station, Texas (suburban setting) with a 5,200-acre campus. UW-Madison is in Madison, Wisconsin (urban setting) with 936 acres. Texas A&M competes in NCAA D1 athletics and UW-Madison in NCAA D1.