Federal data, no marketing spin COLLEGES 50 SOURCES IPEDS · CDS · SCORECARD
CAMPUS · MADISON, WI · PUBLIC

University of Wisconsin Madison Acceptance Rate

University of Wisconsin-Madison
43.4%
ACCEPT
Why this page exists. I'm a parent who went through college admissions with my own kids, and I got tired of glossy brochures and sticker prices that mean nothing. For University of Wisconsin Madison, the gap is real: a $28,679 published sticker, but families actually pay about $12,298/yr after aid. Every number on this page comes straight from federal data (IPEDS & College Scorecard) — the real net price, what graduates actually earn, and your honest odds. No rankings theater, no marketing spin.
50
FIT
SAFETY
University of Wisconsin Madison is a safety for most applicants.
Score reflects acceptance odds × cost × outcome quality.
ACCEPTANCE
43.4%
of 63,505 applicants
SALARY · 10-YR
$73,792
across all majors
01

University of Wisconsin Madison at a Glance

53,219
Total Enrollment
$20,484
Median Debt
15.0%
Pell Grant Rate

Average SAT & ACT Scores for University of Wisconsin Madison

Test25th Percentile75th PercentileMidpoint
SAT Reading660730695
SAT Math700780740
SAT Total136015101435
ACT Composite283230

Admissions Funnel

Applications Received63,505
Students Admitted27,529
Students Enrolled7,964
Yield Rate28.9%

University of Wisconsin Madison Rankings

Ranking2025Year
US News National Universities #43 2025
QS World University Rankings #83 2025
ARWU (Shanghai) #28 2024

University of Wisconsin Madison Admissions Overview

University of Wisconsin-Madison is a public university in Madison, WI with 53,219 students. At 43.4% acceptance, it's selective but accessible to students who meet the academic benchmarks. The most popular majors are Business/Marketing, Biological Sciences, and Social Sciences.

Full NameUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison
LocationMadison, WI 53706-1380
TypePublic
Websitewisc.edu/
Total Enrollment53,219
Undergrad Enrollment39,256
Female Students52.6%

Is University of Wisconsin Madison a Reach, Match, or Safety?

With a 43.4% acceptance rate, University of Wisconsin Madison is a Match for students who meet the academic profile. If your GPA and test scores are at or above the school average, you have reasonable odds.

Your ProfileUniversity of Wisconsin Madison Is...What to Do
Meet academic requirements Safety Strong odds — apply with confidence
Slightly below average Match Apply — still realistic

University of Wisconsin Madison True Cost by Family Income

15% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating UW-Madison enrolls a meaningful share of lower-income students.

Family IncomeAnnual Net Price4-Year Total
$0-30k $4,200 $16,800
$30-48k $4,101 $16,404
$48-75k $8,134 $32,536
$75-110k $17,763 $71,052
$110k+ $27,292 $109,168

Cost Breakdown

Room & Board$11,783
Total Cost of Attendance$28,679

Want to see how University of Wisconsin Madison stacks up? Compare college costs side by side and check the college rankings by net price and salary outcomes.

Popular Majors at University of Wisconsin Madison

The most popular fields of study, ranked by the number of degrees awarded.

Business/Marketing
16.6%
Biological Sciences
11.5%
Social Sciences
10.9%
Engineering
9.5%
Computer Science
8.2%
Best Majors at University of Wisconsin Madison →

{sn} Student Demographics

White
60.8%
Black/African American
2.5%
Hispanic/Latino
7.4%
Asian
9.6%
International
11.9%

How to Get Into University of Wisconsin Madison

UW-Madison is a Match school for students with solid academics. If your GPA and test scores are at or above the school median, you have good odds of admission. Focus your energy on the application essay and making a genuine case for why UW-Madison fits your goals.

1435
Target SAT Score
30
Target ACT Score
43.4%
Acceptance Rate
63,505
Total Applicants

What University of Wisconsin Madison Values Most in Applicants

Admission factor importance from the Common Data Set — what the school officially says matters.

FactorImportance
Academic Gpa Very Important
Rigor Of Secondary School Record Very Important
Class Rank Considered
Standardized Test Scores Important
Application Essay Important
Recommendation Considered
Extracurricular Activities Important
Talent Ability Important
Character Personal Qualities Important
First Generation Considered
Alumni Relation Not Considered
Interview Not Considered
Work Experience Considered
Volunteer Work Considered

Want to know your odds? Use the college admissions calculator to see your chances at University of Wisconsin Madison by GPA and SAT/ACT — or calculate your college GPA first to check where you stand.

University of Wisconsin Madison Application Deadlines & Requirements

Key dates for the University of Wisconsin Madison EA admission cycle. Mark these on your calendar — missing a deadline means waiting another year.

DeadlineDate
Early ActionNov 1
Regular DecisionFeb 1
Financial Aid (FAFSA/CSS)Mar 1
Early Action: University of Wisconsin Madison offers non-binding Early Action. Apply early for an earlier decision without committing — you can still compare offers.

See University of Wisconsin Madison alongside every school in our full college application deadlines calendar for 2026–2027.

{sn} Financial Aid & Student Debt

15.0%
Pell Grant Recipients
Students from low-income families
$20,484
Median Debt at Graduation
Federal loans only
$61,275
Median Earnings (6yr)
6 years after enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions About University of Wisconsin Madison

What is UW-Madison's acceptance rate?
UW-Madison has an acceptance rate of 43.4%, making it moderately selective. This rate reflects freshman applicants for the most recent admissions cycle.
What SAT score do I need for UW-Madison?
The middle 50% SAT range at UW-Madison is 1360-1510. For the ACT, the middle 50% range is 28-32. Scoring above the 75th percentile puts you in a strong position, but scores alone don't determine admission.
What are the most popular majors at UW-Madison?
The most popular majors at UW-Madison by degrees awarded are: Business/Marketing (16.6%), Biological Sciences (11.5%), Social Sciences (10.9%), Engineering (9.5%), Computer Science (8.2%). These percentages reflect undergraduate degrees conferred in the most recent reporting year.
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Data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, IPEDS. University of Wisconsin Madison is not affiliated with NextColleges.