California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo vs University of Wisconsin-Madison
San Luis Obispo, CA — Madison, WI
| Metric | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA | University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI |
|---|---|---|
| Location | San Luis Obispo, CA | Madison, WI |
| Type | Public | Public |
| Total Enrollment | 21,996 | 36,902 |
| Acceptance Rate | 31.3% | 45.2% |
| SAT Average | — | 1,427 |
| In-State Tuition | $13,596 | $11,603 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $34,665 | $42,103 |
| Avg Net Price | $16,665 | $17,354 |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $18,500 | $20,484 |
| 4-Year Graduation Rate | 85.7% | 89.4% |
| Retention Rate | 95.5% | 96.2% |
| Median Earnings (6 yr) | $72,358 | $61,275 |
| Median Earnings (10 yr) | $90,768 | $73,792 |
| Loan Repayment Rate | 437700.0% | 729100.0% |
Values highlighted in green indicate the better metric. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
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California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA
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University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, WI
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and University of Wisconsin-Madison compare?▼
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo (San Luis Obispo, CA) has an acceptance rate of 31.3%, in-state tuition of $13,596, and median 10-year earnings of $90,768. University of Wisconsin-Madison (Madison, WI) has an acceptance rate of 45.2%, in-state tuition of $11,603, and median 10-year earnings of $73,792.
Which school has higher graduate earnings, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo or University of Wisconsin-Madison?▼
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo graduates earn more at 10 years out, with a median of $90,768 vs $73,792. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Which school is more affordable, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo or University of Wisconsin-Madison?▼
Based on average net price (after grants and scholarships), California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is the more affordable option at $16,665 per year versus $17,354.
Which school has a better 4-year graduation rate?▼
University of Wisconsin-Madison has the higher 4-year graduation rate: 89.4% vs 85.7%.
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All data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. PlainCollege is not affiliated with any government agency.
Related
Source: U.S. Department of Education — College Scorecard College Scorecard institution outcomes (earnings, completion, debt) · 2025