⚠ Policy change effective July 1, 2026: Grad PLUS loans eliminated for new borrowers. Read the law →

University of Pennsylvania vs University of Wisconsin-Madison

Funding gap comparison

University of Pennsylvania

, PA

Veterinary Medicine (DVM)

Annual COA
$100,976
Federal Cap
$50,000
Annual Gap
$50,976
Total Program Cost
$403,904
Total Gap
$203,904
Years
4
Classification
Professional
Tuition
$66,228/yr
Fees
$6,262/yr
Living Expenses
$28,486/yr
VS

University of Wisconsin-Madison

, WI

Veterinary Medicine (DVM)

Annual COA
$76,838
Federal Cap
$50,000
Annual Gap
$26,838
Total Program Cost
$307,352
Total Gap
$107,352
Years
4
Classification
Professional
Tuition
$58,746/yr
Fees
$1,678/yr
Living Expenses
$16,414/yr

University of Pennsylvania has a $24,138 larger annual funding gap than University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do these programs have different funding gaps?

Funding gaps depend on each program's total cost of attendance (tuition, fees, and living expenses) minus the federal loan cap. Programs classified as "professional" have a $50,000 annual cap, while graduate programs are capped at $20,500.

How are these costs calculated?

Costs include tuition, mandatory fees, and estimated living expenses (housing, food, books, transportation, and personal expenses). These are based on published 2025-26 rates and official cost-of-attendance budgets.

What is the OBBBA and how does it affect student loans?

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (2026) eliminates Grad PLUS loans and replaces them with annual caps: $20,500 for graduate students and $50,000 for professional students. This creates a "funding gap" for programs that cost more than these caps.