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University of Wisconsin-Madison

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Madison, WI · City · 36,902 students
WebsiteCommon AppForbes rankingScorecard
Nov 1 · Early Action · in 30 days
Checked Sep 2026 · admissions.wisc.edu
$17,354
Average net priceYour net price
In-state · 2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
89%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
70% typical
$73,792
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$63,395 typical
45%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
73% typical · not scored
Accredited by Higher Learning Commission
About

As the flagship public research institution of the state, the University of Wisconsin–Madison is widely recognized for its top-ranked programs in engineering, business, computer science, and agricultural and life sciences. The campus culture exemplifies a classic Big Ten experience, pairing rigorous academics with legendary school spirit centered around traditions like "Jump Around" at Camp Randall Stadium and a lively student life along downtown Madison's State Street. Set against the scenic shores of Lake Mendota, the university is uniquely defined by the "Wisconsin Idea," a guiding institutional philosophy that the knowledge and research generated on campus should actively improve lives across the state and the world.

Wikipedia:The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public land-grant research university in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. It was founded in 1848 when Wisconsin achieved statehood and is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. The 933-acre (378 ha) main campus is located on the shores of Lake Mendota; the university also owns and operates a 1,200-acre (486 ha) arboretum 4 miles (6.4 km) south of the main campus.

Location
Madison, WI, 53706-1380 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
MKE · Milwaukee
77 mi away
Open in Google MapsView official campus map
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
In-stateOut-of-state
Tuition & fees$11,603$42,103
Housing & food (on campus)$14,124$14,124
Books & supplies$1,100$1,100
Cost of attendance$28,679$65,120
Average net price$17,354Not published
Out-of-state prices
Tuition & fees$42,103
In-state: $11,603
Housing & food (on campus)$14,124
Books & supplies$1,100
Cost of attendance$65,120
In-state: $28,679
Average net priceNot published
In-state: $17,354
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: financialaid.wisc.edu
How it’s made up · out-of-state, 2026-27
University of Wisconsin-Madison’s own figures for 2026-27, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$45,518
Books & supplies$700
Personal expenses$2,618
Transportation$1,222
Total published by the school$65,120
Net price by family income · in-state students, 2023-24
$0–30k
$4,200
$30–48k
$4,101
$48–75k
$8,134
$75–110k
$17,763
$110k+
$27,292
Merit aid · 2025-26
Awarded without financial need. Students with financial need can get merit awards too; they're counted as need-based aid.
Average award$7,397
Share of first-years who get one8%
Source: University of Wisconsin-Madison's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures.
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
89%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
75%
Back for yr 2
96%
Transferred
0%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
90% graduated · 7% transferred · 3% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$61,275
10 yrs after entry$73,792
Debt
Median at graduation$20,484
Monthly payment$217
Middle 50% owe$10k–$27.7k
90th percentile$33,800
Green marks a figure above the typical Doctoral University: 70% graduate within 6 yrs, $63,395 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
45%
Test policy
Test optional
Checked Sep 2026
SAT average
1427
R 670–740 · M 710–780
ACT midpoint
29
Comp 29–33 · E 28–34 · M 27–33
SAT middle 50%: 1380–1520
40080012001600
Application deadlines · first-year, fall 2027 entry
Early Action
Nov 1 2026
in 30 days
Not binding: apply early, hear early, and you can still apply elsewhere.
Regular Decision
Jan 15 2027
in 105 days
Not binding: the standard deadline.
Checked Sep 2026 · admissions.wisc.edu · Confirm on the school's site before you apply.

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Essay prompts
How much essays count at University of Wisconsin-Madison: Important (one of four levels: very important · important · considered · not considered)
Source: University of Wisconsin-Madison's Common Data Set for 2024-25 — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures.
From University of Wisconsin-Madison (admissions.wisc.edu) · The page doesn't state a year · checked Sep 28, 2026
  • 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 max · Universities of Wisconsin Application applicants
  • 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 max

Quoted from University of Wisconsin-Madison's own page. The application itself is the final word.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 47%Women 53%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
18 : 1
Pell grant
16%
First-gen
17%
Family income
$92,428
Independent
5%
Veterans
0%
Age at entry
20.0
Part-time
5%
Race & ethnicity
White
59%
Hispanic
9%
Black
2%
Asian
11%
Two or more
5%
Non-resident
10%
Unknown
4%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division I-FBS · EADA 2024-25
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Ice Hockey
    Men's · Women's
  • Rowing
    Men's · Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Swimming and Diving (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
  • Wrestling
    Men's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$61,275
After 10 yrs
$73,792
Computer and Information Sciences, General864
Psychology, General589
Economics587
Finance and Financial Management Services521
Biology, General440
Political Science and Government384
Data Science323
Communication and Media Studies304
Neurobiology and Neurosciences288
Marketing252
Mathematics237
General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations232
Business Administration, Management and Operations231
Journalism221
Mechanical Engineering218
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing218
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$6.1B
Full-time faculty
86%
Faculty salary
$15,643/mo
Teaching spend
$21,417
per student
Federal loans
20%
Classification
Carnegie type
Doctoral University
Research activity
R1 — very high research
$1.9B research spending · 854 research doctorates a year
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, more selective admissions

Wondering if University of Wisconsin-Madison is the right fit for you?

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Financial aid & net cost estimates
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