University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, WI · Public
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University of Wisconsin-Madison admitted 45.2% of applicants university-wide (29,782 of 65,894).
| Cohort | Admit rate | Admitted | Applicants |
|---|---|---|---|
| University-wide | 45.2% | 29,782 | 65,894 |
| Men | 42.1% | 13,832 | 32,837 |
| Women | 48.3% | 15,941 | 33,037 |
Of 29,782 admitted students, 8,514 enrolled (28.6% yield).
University of Wisconsin-Madison Common Data Set 2024-2025 · Sections C1–C2 · 2024 — Published cohort admit rates — context, not an applicant-specific probability.
Test scores and GPA of admitted students
- SAT (mid-50%)
- 1380–1520
- ACT (mid-50%)
- 29–33
Testing policy: Test-optional (considered if submitted)
University of Wisconsin-Madison Common Data Set 2024-2025 · Sections C9–C12 · 2024 — Published admit stats reflect the entire incoming class unless explicitly labeled international-only.
Cost and financial aid
Published cost of attendance: $57,327/yr.
| Out-of-state tuition | $42,103 |
| Fees, housing, food, books & other | $15,224 |
| Sticker cost of attendance | $57,327/yr |
Average net price by family income (US, federal aid data)
| Under $30k | $4,200 |
| $30k–48k | $4,101 |
| $48k–75k | $8,134 |
| $75k–110k | $17,763 |
| Over $110k | $27,292 |
US applicants
Need- and merit-based aid available.
- Chancellor's Scholarship — Up to $10,000 per year (Need Based)
- Badger Promise — Full tuition and fees (Full Tuition)
- Wisconsin Tuition Promise — Full tuition (Full Tuition)
International applicants
Some aid available for internationals.
- International Student Grant — Up to $2,000 (Need Based)
- Global Badger Experience Grant — Up to $1,000 (Need Based)
- King-Morgridge Scholars Program — Full tuition, room and board, health insurance, round-trip airfare, and a stipend (Full Tuition)
University of Wisconsin-Madison Common Data Set 2024-2025 · Sections G–H · 2024
Application requirements
US applicants
- Admissions Application
- Course and Grade Information (Transcript)
- Letter of Recommendation
- Additional Letter of Recommendation (optional)
- Two Essays
- English Proficiency Test (TOEFL/IELTS/DET)
- Application fee
International applicants
- Admissions Application
- Course and Grade Information (Transcript)
- Letter of Recommendation
- Additional Letter of Recommendation (optional)
- Two Essays
- English Proficiency Test (TOEFL/IELTS/DET)
- Application fee
- GPA credential conversion
- Predicted Class XII marksheet
- Financial documentation (I-20)
University of Wisconsin-Madison · Application requirements (official admissions pages) · 2025
Essay prompts
The Common App personal essay is required (one of 7 shared prompts), plus 2 college-specific supplements:
- Tell us why you would like to attend the University of Wisconsin–Madison. In addition, please include why you are interested in studying the major(s) you have selected. If you selected undecided, please describe your areas of possible academic interest.650 words · Required
- Each student is unique. Please tell us about the particular life experiences, talents, commitments, and/or interests you will bring to our campus.650 words · Required
Draft these in the free Essay Coach
Prompts from the Common App member feed · verified Jul 3, 2026
Graduate outcomes
- Median earnings
- $73,792
- Median earnings · 10 years after entry
- Graduation rate
- 89.5%
- Within 150% of normal time
- First-year retention
- 96.2%
- Return for year two · CDS Section B
- Median debt
- $20,484
- At graduation
University of Wisconsin-Madison · U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (2023 release) · 2023 — Earnings and debt figures are federal data for aid-receiving graduates — cohort outcomes, not a guarantee for any individual student.
Published rankings
- U.S. News National: #36
- WSJ: #94
- Forbes: #53
- Niche: #53
- QS: #110
Academics and campus
Largest degree fields: Business & marketing (16%), Social sciences (9%), Biological & life sciences (8%).
University of Wisconsin-Madison Common Data Set 2024-2025 · Sections E, F, I · 2024 — Published institutional figures for the reporting year — descriptive of the current student body, not a prediction about your experience.