Game 5: Saturday, October 4, 2025 | Wisconsin at Michigan | Michigan Stadium | 12:00 PM
The Big House welcomes Wisconsin this Saturday as Michigan celebrates Homecoming. This matchup pairs two of the nation’s top public universities and two college towns known for their energy, innovation, and community spirit. Fans will pack Ann Arbor for a day that blends tradition on the field with the pride of one of the country’s most dynamic communities.
Did You Know?
Ann Arbor & Madison Connections
- Research drives both universities. Michigan ranks fourth in the nation for research expenditures, while Wisconsin ranks sixth. Together, they generate nearly $3.7 billion annually in discovery and innovation.
- Ann Arbor and Madison regularly appear on lists of America’s best college towns, recognized for walkable downtowns, bike-friendly streets, and a lively food and arts scene.
- The two universities produced more than 32,000 graduates combined last year, fueling talent pipelines for employers nationwide.
- Wisconsin rocks Camp Randall with “Jump Around,” a tradition that gets the whole stadium moving. In Ann Arbor, 100,000+ fans sing “The Victors” and watch the Wolverines touch the M Club banner, rituals that make the Big House the ultimate Homecoming stage.
How Our Communities Compare
Ann Arbor is home to more than 122,000 residents, with a median household income of $80,600 and one of the highest educational attainment rates in the nation. Nearly 77 percent of adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Madison, Wisconsin’s state capital, is more than double the size at nearly 270,000 residents. The city has a median household income of $70,500, with 59 percent of adults holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. Madison maintains one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country at 2.7 percent, compared to 4.7 percent in Washtenaw County.
Both cities enjoy strong quality of life measures, with Ann Arbor slightly more affordable in cost of living.
Comparing the Universities
The University of Michigan enrolled more than 52,000 students last fall and graduated over 16,000 students in the most recent academic year. The University of Wisconsin is nearly the same size, with close to 50,000 students and more than 16,600 graduates.
In research, Michigan reported $1.93 billion in expenditures in 2023, ranking fourth nationally. Wisconsin followed closely with $1.73 billion, ranked sixth. Michigan is recognized as the third best public university in the nation and 21st overall, while Wisconsin is ranked 13th among public universities and 39th overall.
Beyond the Field
Ann Arbor and Madison demonstrate how universities shape communities and strengthen economies. From the classroom to the downtown, Ann Arbor and Madison thrive on a culture of innovation and community pride that extends far beyond game day.
Here in Ann Arbor, the celebration is even bigger this week as SPARK just wrapped up our a2Tech360 events, bringing together entrepreneurs, innovators, and community leaders. The same spirit of innovation that drives a2Tech360 also fuels the University of Michigan’s research excellence and helps make Ann Arbor a world-class place to live, learn, and work.
In Case You Missed It
Catch up on our previous posts from this season:
Game 1: How Do We Compare? Michigan vs. New Mexico
Game 2: How Do We Compare? Michigan vs. Oklahoma
Game 3: How Do We Compare? Michigan vs. Central Michigan
Game 4: How Do We Compare? Michigan vs. Nebraska
Want to learn more? Ann Arbor SPARK’s business development team can connect you with data, resources, and insights to support your business growth in our region.
