I remember feeling a thrill when I first came to the U.S. and stumbled upon the name University of Wisconsin-Madison while browsing through college lists.

Later, I learned that Madison is not just a city with a university; it's a quintessential college town where the city revolves around the university.

If you're looking into universities in Madison, it's worth checking out three schools that have distinctly different characteristics.

They are the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Edgewood University, and Madison College.

First, UW-Madison is the flagship school of the city, needing no introduction. It is a prestigious public university representing Wisconsin and is highly regarded as a research institution in the U.S. It excels in various fields, including engineering, business, computer science, as well as life sciences, agriculture, and economics.

The campus is also quite large. With a high student population and a wide range of majors, the atmosphere is completely different from that of a small college.

The campus, which stretches along Lake Mendota, is truly beautiful. Walking along State Street, the campus seamlessly connects with restaurants, cafes, and shops.

Sports are also a big part of the experience. When the Wisconsin Badgers play football or basketball, it feels like the entire city of Madison is buzzing, not just the university. For students wanting to experience the unique campus culture of a large public university in the U.S., it's an attractive option.

The second is Edgewood University. It was known as Edgewood College for a long time but began using the name University starting in 2025. As a private university with a Catholic Dominican tradition, it is much smaller compared to UW-Madison.

This can actually be an advantage. If you prefer an environment where professors and students are closer together rather than a large university with thousands of students, this might be a good fit. It offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs, including nursing, education, business, and psychology. Its proximity to UW-Madison also provides interesting opportunities for academic exchange between the two schools.

The third is Madison Area Technical College, which is now commonly referred to as Madison College.

While it's not a four-year university, it's a practical choice that cannot be overlooked.

With a wide range of options from associate degrees to various technical certifications and vocational training programs, it offers many paths. Fields that lead directly to employment, such as nursing and healthcare, IT, business, automotive, construction, and culinary arts, stand out. For students who find it difficult to bear the high tuition of a four-year university from the start, starting at Madison College to earn credits before transferring to a four-year university is also a viable option.

Ultimately, the three schools have different purposes rather than competing with each other. If you want a large research-focused public university and a vibrant college life, UW-Madison is the choice. If you prefer a closer relationship with professors at a smaller private university, Edgewood University is a good fit. If you want practical education while considering costs and job prospects, Madison College is suitable.

Personally, I believe Madison's greatest advantage is that college life doesn't end when you leave campus. Walking by the lake, dining on State Street, and seeing crowds gather for Badgers games on weekends are all part of the college culture.

So, if you're choosing a school in Madison, I recommend walking the campus rather than just comparing rankings and tuition. Although they are in the same city, the atmospheres of the three schools are quite different. After all, the school where I will live for several years will feel very different when experienced in person compared to just looking at numbers.