University of Wisconsin-Madison
PublicMadison, WI
The University of Wisconsin-Madison was founded in 1848. It is a public land-grant university and the flagship of the Universities of Wisconsin system, which comprises 13 institutions statewide. The university operates under what it calls the Wisconsin Idea, a commitment to public service that the institution describes as its guiding principle at the regional, local, and global levels.
Admissions
Cost & outcomes
From the US Dept of Education College Scorecard, most recent year reported. Not every school reports every field.
Where do you stand against University of Wisconsin-Madison's numbers?
Check your chances hereHow University of Wisconsin-Madison weighs your application
From University of Wisconsin-Madison's own Common Data Set, 2024-25, Section C7 -- not a generic admissions checklist. What is a Common Data Set?
See full profile -- financial aid, campus life, and what University of Wisconsin-Madison weighs in your application
Paying it back
"Still growing" means a borrower's payments aren't yet covering interest 3 years into repayment -- not a default rate. A high number here can mean real repayment difficulty, or just a lot of grads who deferred for graduate school, so read it alongside the school's typical outcomes above.
Majors & earnings
Median earnings 4 years after graduation, by major, from the US Dept of Education. Only shown where the school reports a real figure for that major -- most schools don't report every major they offer, especially smaller programs.
Campus life
Room and board are shown separately from the cost of attendance above -- that total already includes them alongside tuition and fees, this just breaks out the living-cost portion.
What matters in your application
From this school's own reporting to the US Dept of Education on what it formally requires, considers, or doesn't use when reviewing applications.
Frequently asked questions
What does University of Wisconsin-Madison look for in applicants?
Per University of Wisconsin-Madison's own Common Data Set (Section C7), it rates rigor of secondary school record, academic GPA as "very important" in admissions decisions -- its own stated top factors, not a generic guess.
What is University of Wisconsin-Madison's acceptance rate?
University of Wisconsin-Madison in Madison, WI admits approximately 45% of applicants, based on the US Dept of Education's most recently reported figures.
What SAT score do I need for University of Wisconsin-Madison?
Admitted students at University of Wisconsin-Madison typically score between 1380–1520 on the SAT (25th–75th percentile).
What ACT score do I need for University of Wisconsin-Madison?
Admitted students at University of Wisconsin-Madison typically score between 29–33 on the ACT (25th–75th percentile).
How much does University of Wisconsin-Madison cost?
University of Wisconsin-Madison's total cost of attendance is reported at $28,679 per year, including tuition, fees, and room and board.
When is the application deadline for University of Wisconsin-Madison?
University of Wisconsin-Madison's earliest deadline is Nov 1, 2026 (EA), per its own published admissions calendar.
Does University of Wisconsin-Madison require students to live on campus?
No -- University of Wisconsin-Madison doesn't require students to live in on-campus housing.
Related reading
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