University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, WI · Large city
Admissions
- Acceptance rate (most recent year)
- 45.2%
- Applicants (fall 2023)
- 63,505
- Admitted (fall 2023)
- 27,529
- Enrolled freshmen (fall 2023)
- 7,964
- Yield (admitted who enroll)
- 29%
- Acceptance rate – women (fall 2023)
- 46%
- Acceptance rate – men (fall 2023)
- 41%
- SAT reading, middle 50%
- 670–740
- SAT math, middle 50%
- 710–780
- ACT composite, middle 50%
- 29–33
- Enrollees who sent SAT / ACT
- 14% / 30%
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey, fall 2023 entering class; test ranges and rate from U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
What they look at
- High school GPA
- required
- High school class rank
- considered
- High school record (transcript)
- required
- College-prep program completed
- required
- Recommendations
- required
- Demonstration of competencies
- not considered
- SAT/ACT scores
- considered
- English proficiency test (TOEFL etc.)
- required
- Other test
- not considered
- Work experience
- considered
- Personal statement or essay
- required
- Legacy status
- not considered
“Considered” means the college uses it if you submit it, but it isn’t required.
What families actually pay
Average yearly net price (after grants and scholarships) for first-time, full-time students who got aid, by family income.
- Full sticker price (per year)
- $28,679
- Tuition & fees – in-state
- $11,603
- Tuition & fees – out-of-state
- $42,103
- Median debt at graduation
- $20,484
- Students with federal loans
- 20%
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Outcomes
- Graduate within 6 years
- 90%
- Freshmen who return for year 2
- 96%
- Median earnings, 1 year after graduating
- $53,379
- Median earnings, 10 years after starting
- $73,792
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Students & campus
- Undergraduates
- 36,902
- Graduate students
- 13,004
- Student-to-faculty ratio
- 18 : 1
- Women
- 53%
- Students receiving Pell grants
- 16%
- Full-time faculty
- 86%
Undergraduate diversity
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Most popular majors
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release) (share of bachelor’s degrees awarded)
Contacts & links
- Chancellor
- Jennifer Mnookin
- Main phone
- (608) 263-2400
- Address
- 500 Lincoln Dr, Madison, WI 53706-1380
How to apply (2026–27)
| Plan | Apply by | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Early Action | November 1 | by January 31 |
| Regular Decision | January 15 | by March 31 |
- Apply with
- Common App, Own application
- Application fee
- $80 (waivers available)
- SAT/ACT
- Optional
- Essays
- 2 essays required: main essay plus 'Why UW–Madison' and major (650 words max each)
- Recommendations
- 1 required (teacher, counselor, or faculty member); 1 additional optional
Testing: Test-optional through the spring 2028 term
Financial aid policies
- FAFSA only, no CSS Profile
- Bucky's Tuition Promise: free tuition and fees for Wisconsin residents with household AGI of $65,000 or less
Early rounds & waitlist (2025-2026)
- Waitlist: offered / accepted / admitted
- 6,476 / 4,317 / 1,088
Source: the college’s official website and Common Data Set 2025-2026: admissions.wisc.edu, admissions.wisc.edu, admissions.wisc.edu, financialaid.wisc.edu. Dates can change, so always confirm on the college’s site.