Overview of the University of Wisconsin-Madison

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is a public research institution situated between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona. The institution has a large selection of undergraduate and graduate degree programs for students to select from. A robust student/faculty ratio backs students, and professors take a personalized approach to the teaching and learning process. Outside of the classroom, students will find plenty of opportunities to engage with the campus community via the university’s many clubs and organizations. In athletics, most of the Wisconsin Badgers teams play in the NCAA’s Division 1-A as a Big Ten Conference member.

Enrollment

• Total Enrollment: 44,411 (32,648 undergraduates)
• Gender Breakdown: 49 percent male/51 percent female
• 93 percent full-time

Cost of Attendance Information

• Tuition and Fees: $10,725 (in-state); $37,785 (out-of-state)
• Books: $1,150
• Room and Board: $11,558
• Other Expenses: $3,120
• Total Cost: $26,553 (in-state); $53,613 (out-of-state)

Financial Aid Information

• Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 62 percent
• Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
  • Grants: 50 percent
  • Loans: 34 percent

• Average Amount of Aid
  • Grants: $9,987
  • Loans: $6,999

Academic Programs Offered

• Most Popular Majors: Economics, General; Biology/Biological Sciences, General; Computer and Information Sciences, General; Psychology, General; and Finance, Genera

Retention and Graduation

• First-Year Student Retention (full-time students): 95 percent
• 4-Year Graduation Rate: 61 percent
• 6-Year Graduation Rate: 87 percent

NCAA Athletic Programs

• Men’s Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Crew-Rowing, Football, Golf, Ice Hockey, Soccer, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track and Field, Wrestling
• Women’s Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Crew-Rowing, Golf, Ice Hockey, Soccer, Softball, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball

Overview of University of Wisconsin-Madison Admissions

The University of Wisconsin-Madison, which accepts approximately half of applicants, has a selective admissions procedure. Students whose SAT/ACT scores and GPA are within the institution’s requirements have a good chance of being admitted. Applicants must complete an online application and send test scores from either the SAT or ACT and high school transcripts. Students with unique talents and accomplishments can still receive strong consideration even if their GPAs are outside of the admissions offices mean range. After applying, students will receive a message from an admissions counselor about the application process’s next steps.

Admissions Data

Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, the University of Wisconsin had an acceptance rate of 52%. For every 100 students who submitted applications, 52 gained admission, making UW-Madison’s admissions procedure competitive.

SAT Requirements and Scores

Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, 23% of students provided SAT scores. This admissions data reveals that most UW-Madison’s students fall within the top 20% nationally on the SAT. 50% of admitted students scored between 630 and 700 on the evidence-based reading and writing part, while 25% scored under 630 and 25% scored over 700. 50% of students scored between 650 and 750 on the math part, while 25% scored under 650, and 25% scored over 750. Applicants with a cumulative SAT score of 1480 or higher will have a competitive advantage at UW-Madison.

ACT Requirements and Scores

Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, 84% of students provided ACT scores. This admissions data reveals that most UW-Madison’s students fall within the top 14% nationally on the ACT. The mean 50% of admitted students received a cumulative ACT score between 27 and 32, while 25% scored over 32, and 25% scored under 27.

GPA

In 2019, the mean high school GPA for incoming University of Wisconsin-Madison first-year students was 3.84.  Successful applicants to UW-Madison have A and B grades primarily.

Safety Net Schools: Easy to Gain Admission

If past admission data predicts that you would be a competitive candidate for the University of Wisconsin-Madison, then it should be easy for you to gain admissions to the schools below. If the University of Wisconsin-Madison is currently out of your reach, then you are sure to be a competitive candidate for the schools below.

University of Texas at Dallas, Stony Brook University, Rochester Institute of Technology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Syracuse University, Penn State University Park, University of Cincinnati

Same Tier: Just As Hard to Gain Admission

If you’re a competitive candidate for the University of Wisconsin-Madison, you should have an equal chance of gaining admissions at these schools.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Villanova University, Southern Methodist University, University of Maryland, Binghamton University, George Washington University

Reach Institutions: Gaining Admissions Will be More of a Challenge

These schools are more challenging to gain admission into than the University of Wisconsin-Madison. If you improve your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, then you’ll be a competitive candidate for these schools.

Tufts University, Northeastern University, Georgetown University, New York University, University of Southern California, University of Michigan, Emory University

Applying to the University of Wisconsin-Madison

Application Deadline: February 1

Undergraduate Admissions Website:

https://admissions.wisc.edu/

Undergraduate Application Link(s):

https://admissions.wisc.edu/how-do-i-apply-to-uw-madison/

Graduate Admissions Website:

https://grad.wisc.edu/apply/

Graduate Application Link(s):

https://apply.grad.wisc.edu/Account/Login?ReturnUrl=%2f