Michigan vs. Wisconsin

College Search & Selection
1

<p>So, I've been admitted to both the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor and UW - Madison, and am now having a bit of a rough time deciding between the two.</p>

<p>I've visited both, here's the deal: while I liked UM's campus better, as far as a place to live is concerned I'd probably choose Madison. </p>

<p>As far as "prestige" is concerned, I could care less. I've heard great things about both schools but that doesn't really help in making a decision.</p>

<p>So I was wondering if anyone had any personal experience with one or both schools, and if they wouldn't mind giving me some advice.</p>

<p>I've been admitted as an engineering student to both schools, though I doubt I will remain one- I've realized that engineering isn't what I'm interested in. In fact, I don't really know what I want to study, if that makes a difference.</p>

<p>Thanks,
Robert</p>

2

<p>Personally, in my opinion everything about Michigan is better than Wisconsin..go with Ann Arbor..</p>

3

<p>I agree. Michigan all the way.</p>

4

<p>The atmospheres are different. Michigan is more academically focused than Wisconsin - not saying UW isn't, because they are, but they have the distinction of one of the nation's top party schools, where as Michigan does not.</p>

5

<p>Definitely Michigan.</p>

6

<p>Is there is significant cost difference? And what do you want to major in? If Michigan will only cost you $5,000 more than Wisconsin, I don't think cost is a factor. However, if Wisconsin is like $10,000 cheaper, then cost becomes a factor. Of course, if your parents are wealthy, it won't matter either way. </p>

<p>For the most part, I think Michigan is slightly better than Wisconsin. However, if you wish to major in a life science or in a specialized field like Real Estate or Chemical Engineering, Wisconsin is at least as good as Michigan.</p>

<p>So give us some details.</p>

7

<p>Data mostly drawn from USNWR</p>

<p>OBJECTIVE DATA</p>

<p>Undergraduate Enrollment:
U Wisconsin: 30,106 U Michigan: 25,467</p>

<p>Number & % of students who are in-state:
U Wisconsin: 18,365 (61%) U Michigan: 17,572 (69%)</p>

<p>Cost (Tuition & Fees):
U Wisconsin: $6,284 in-state, $20,284 out-of-state U Michigan: $9,988 in-state, $30,179 out-of-state</p>

<p>Graduation & Retention Rank
U Wisconsin: 49th U Michigan: 28th
-% of Students expected to graduate in 6 years:
U Wisconsin: 73% U Michigan: 77%
-% of students who do graduate in 6 years:
U Wisconsin: 78% U Michigan: 86%</p>

<p>Faculty Resources Rank:
U Wisconsin: 69th U Michigan: 69th (tied)
-% of classes with 50+ students
U Wisconsin: 18% U Michigan: 16%
-% of classes with <20 students
U Wisconsin: 43% U Michigan: 43%
-Faculty/student ratio
U Wisconsin: 13/1 U Michigan: 15/1</p>

<p>Student Selectivity Rank:
U Wisconsin: 44th U Michigan: 22nd
-Average SAT/ACT:
U Wisconsin: 26-30, 1160-1370 U Michigan: 1220-1410
-% of students ranking in top 10% of high school class
U Wisconsin: 56% U Michigan: 89%
Middle 50% range for GPA:
U Wisconsin: 3.5-3.9 U Michigan: 3.7-4.0
-% acceptance rate
U Wisconsin: 67% U Michigan: 47%</p>

<h1>of NMS on campus:</h1>

<p>U Wisconsin: 31 U Michigan: 75</p>

<h1>of 1500+ scorers on campus:</h1>

<p>U Wisconsin: 561 U Michigan: 1645</p>

<p>Financial Resources Rank:
U Wisconsin: 47th U Michigan: 31st </p>

<p>Alumni Giving % and Rank:
U Wisconsin: 14% (109th) U Michigan: 15% (105th)</p>

<p>2006 Football Score:
U Wisconsin: 13 U Michigan: 27</p>

<p>SUBJECTIVE DATA</p>

<p>Peer Assessment:
U Wisconsin: 4.2 U Michigan: 4.5</p>

<p>On the data presented above, it would appear that Michigan would have the advantage. Michigan's numbers are quite impressive and overall, it is a moderately stronger academic environment with stronger students, although the top students of both schools are among the most competitive in the country. Michigan's reputation among academics is very strong, as evidenced by its high PA score. Wisconsin is also well regarded among the academic set, but at a slightly lower level. </p>

<p>Both Madison and AA offer an excellent environment for a college experience and you will have great breadth of opportunity, academic and otherwise, at either school. Graduates of both schools are very strong and very loyal to their school. As for post-graduate opportunities, both schools are highly regarded in the Midwest. In Chicago, both schools would be considered among the local elites (which also include U Chicago, Northwestern, Notre Dame and perhaps UIUC) though again Michigan probably gets the edge over Wisconsin. In addition, I would argue that Michigan's brand travels a bit better outside of the Midwest.</p>

8

<p>Because UM can't touch this.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.soils.wisc.edu/asig/webcam.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.soils.wisc.edu/asig/webcam.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

9

<p>I graduated from both schools, thus I can say this from personal experience. The atmosphere at these two schools are very similar in many aspects, and I like them both.</p>

<p>Michigan is a bit better in most engineering disciplines ... but since you are likely not gonna remain in engineering, it's not a big factor. I'm somewhat surprised that you like the UM campus better. Personally I think the Madison campus is prettier, and like someone said, "you can't beat drinking a beer at the union on the shores of Lake Mendota." Oh, the home-made ice cream is definitely better in Madison.</p>

10

<p>Well, I don't know if the campus was "prettier" per se, but I was certainly more impressed by it. You can really tell Michigan's got a lot of money to throw around, the facilities were immaculate.</p>

<p>What are you guys' thoughts on living near Detroit? I'm not a big fan of the idea. Ick. But maybe that's just me. But I suppose that's not really a big deal, as I'll be spending essentially my entire time in Ann Arbor?</p>

<p>And a second, less important question (though a curiosity of mine) is whether Ann Arbor gets many good concerts to come through? I'd imagine that a lot of good shows stop in Detroit, but any in Ann Arbor?</p>

11

<p>While UM carries the bigger rep, much of this may be more tradition based than what you find in the facts. They are nearly identical in NAS members, number of faculty winning major national awards (Guggenheim, Sloan etc.), research grants won, and on the fact based Shanghai JT U rankings.
UM has done a better job over the years of proclaiming its greatness and the glow from the excellent professional schools seems to lift the rest of the depts a bit.</p>

<p><a href="http://ed.sjtu.edu.cn/rank/2006/ARWU2006_TopAmer.htm%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://ed.sjtu.edu.cn/rank/2006/ARWU2006_TopAmer.htm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

12

<p>Are you kidding me? Detroit and Ann Arbor are only connected in that Detroit has the sports teams if you want to go there. But saying that, the Pistons aren't even in Detroit. It's a good 45 minutes to get to Detroit. </p>

<p>Ann Arbor is a very safe college town. Detroit even gets a bad rap - no one lives in Detroit, they live in the nice suburbs (Troy, Farmington Hills, Sterling Heights, Bloomfield Hills, Livonia).</p>

<p>Not liking UMich because of Detroit is a foolish reason. Heck, even the airport isn't in Detroit. That's a 20 minute drive to Detroit (25 to Ann Arbor). You don't even have to acknowledge Detroit's existence in your college experience</p>

13

<p>"Personally, in my opinion everything about Michigan is better than Wisconsin..go with Ann Arbor."</p>

<p>For those who are a bit more objective - Madison trumps AA.</p>

14

<p>"For those who are a bit more objective - Madison trumps AA."</p>

<p>Care to explain that "objective" statement?</p>

15

<p>I graduated from grad school from UW and my wife and I lived there for five years. Then, my wife went to Ross for her MBA at UM and I worked for the University.</p>

<p>Both of our preferences in terms of quality of life, campus, and attitude was UW and Madison. That is not to say that there is anything wrong with Ann Arbor or UM. In our opinion, the big difference is in the attitude. To generalize, Ann Arbor and UM is a "wine and cheese" place, whereas Madison and UW is a "beer and brats" place. We just felt more comfortable with the beer and brats crowd in Madison.</p>

<p>To be perfectly honest, you can receive a world class education at either place or you could fart away your education at either place. My advice is to go to the University where you feel that are most likely to succeed.</p>

<p>Hope that helps a little.</p>

16

<p>
[quote]
I graduated from grad school from UW and my wife and I lived there for five years. Then, my wife went to Ross for her MBA at UM and I worked for the University.</p>

<p>Both of our preferences in terms of quality of life, campus, and attitude was UW and Madison. That is not to say that there is anything wrong with Ann Arbor or UM. In our opinion, the big difference is in the attitude. To generalize, Ann Arbor and UM is a "wine and cheese" place, whereas Madison and UW is a "beer and brats" place. We just felt more comfortable with the beer and brats crowd in Madison.</p>

<p>To be perfectly honest, you can receive a world class education at either place or you could fart away your education at either place. My advice is to go to the University where you feel that are most likely to succeed.</p>

<p>Hope that helps a little.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I should probably be chiming in on behalf of my alma mater here, but as a UM grad, I can vouch for the "wine and cheese" feel of UM and Ann Arbor.</p>

<p>and although I've never been, I have been told that UW/Madison does have a more grounded and "down to earth" feel to it.</p>

<p>for what that's worth =/</p>

<p>shame on me</p>

17

<p>Despite being a Michigan fan, in most circumstances I would say Wisconsin because of price. However, because you are undecided about your major, I would have to say Michigan because it provides so many more and better opportunities (See "Is Michigan Weak In Any Way" Thread on UM message board)</p>

18

<p>UM does not have many more majors or opportunities than UW. The business school is a bit stronger buy UW's is very good and if you want to go to Wall Street you can. UW is a bit better in hard sciences and UM is a bit better in social sciences but both are more than good. UW is a bit better in foreign languages. UW has more NAS members outside of medical school than UM. They usually have about the same number of faculty winning major awards plus or minus a couple. UW's facilities are every bit as good--especially where it counts in sciences. UW has just passed UM for total research funding. UW's football team will beat UM this year. UW is less expensive.</p>

19

<p>Go Blue!!!</p>

<p>Pick Michigan</p>

20

<p>Barrons, I agree with much of what you say. I disagree with your assessment of the B schools though. Ross is significantly better than Wisconsin in most aspects of Business education. Secondly, Wisconsin has beaten Michigan just once under Lloyd Carr, so I don't think it will happen this year, although the Badgers should be very good this year.</p>