Overview
University of Wisconsin-Madison is a public 4-year college located in Madison, Wisconsin. There are currently 35,665 undergraduates at Wisconsin-Madison and the school’s acceptance rate is 43%. The tuition at Wisconsin-Madison is $11,205 for in-state students and $40,603 for out-of-state.
University
City
SupplementalEssay
Scholarships & Financial Aid
$28,905
$41,375
$16,928
Cost Breakdown
In-State
In-State Estimated Cost:
$28,905Out-of-State
Out-Of-State Estimated Cost:
$58,303Since Wisconsin-Madison is a public university, there are different costs for in-state students and out-of-state students. The sticker price at Wisconsin-Madison is $28,905 for in-state students in WI, and $58,303 for out-of-state students. This includes the cost of tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and other miscellaneous expenses.
The cost of attendance can vary from year to year and will typically rise over your four years in college. That said, colleges will recalculate your financial aid every year to take price increases and changes in your financial situation into account.
College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at Wisconsin-Madison would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.
University of Wisconsin-Madison Financial Aid
To apply for financial aid at University of Wisconsin-Madison, you’ll need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year. That means you can submit the form even if you or your parents haven’t filed last year’s taxes.
The FAFSA code for University of Wisconsin-Madison is 003895.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA, check out Scholarships360’s How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.
Apply to these scholarships due soon
See more Wisconsin scholarshipsNational Merit Scholarships
If you scored exceptionally high on the PSAT/NMSQT, you may have been named a National Merit Scholarship Finalist. Did you know that this distinction could earn you a scholarship at University of Wisconsin-Madison? Wisconsin-Madison offers scholarship money to National Merit Scholarship Finalists, although terms may vary. Some schools require you to list them as your first choice in order to receive the benefit, and others may impose additional need-based or academic requirements. Be sure to check Wisconsin-Madison's website for more information!
Midwest Student Tuition Exchange
Wisconsin-Madison is in a state that participates in the Midwest Student Exchange. That means that if you are a resident of Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, or Wisconsin, you may qualify for discounted tuition at Wisconsin-Madison. This program applies to both private and public institutions, although the discount at private institutions is lower. Check their website for more information on eligibility and what your discount would be.
Pell Grants at University of Wisconsin-Madison
16% of students at University of Wisconsin-Madison receive Pell Grants.
The federal government awards Pell Grants to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need by filling out the FAFSA. Students with a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible. Pell Grants do not be repaid. If you receive a Pell Grant, the award amount should remain consistent at any college you gain admission to. You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
Students can use outside scholarships to supplement their financial aid package at Wisconsin-Madison. Outside scholarships are awards offered by private and non-profit organizations separate from their college. To browse vetted, reliable outside scholarships, check out our popular lists:
Admissions
43%
29
1390
1390 is the median SAT score and 29 is the median ACT score for admitted students at Wisconsin-Madison. A score that is close to this median value indicates that you have a good chance of admission to the institution. However, it’s important to remember that colleges judge applications holistically. If the rest of your application is strong, it’s possible to make up for lower test scores.
Does Wisconsin-Madison have a supplemental essay?
Yes, University of Wisconsin-Madison includes a supplemental essay in their application. Luckily, Scholarships360 has a free guide to help you answer Wisconsin-Madison's essay prompt and stand out in the application process.
Wisconsin-Madison Supplemental Essay Guide
Is Wisconsin-Madison test-optional?
University of Wisconsin-Madison is test-optional, which means that applicants are permitted, but not required, to submit their standardized test scores. If you choose not to submit your scores, admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurriculars, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you aren’t sure whether to submit your standardized test scores, Scholarships360’s guide on whether to submit your test scores to test-optional schools can help.
What test scores do you need to get into University of Wisconsin-Madison?
Colleges use standardized tests like the SAT, ACT, or CLT as one of many factors to determine their admissions decisions. A high score on one of these tests does not guarantee admission to a college, and a low score does not guarantee rejection. However, the majority of accepted applicants to University of Wisconsin-Madison receive between a 28 and a 32 on their ACT, or a 1325 and a 1490 on their SAT.
Early Action
Regular Decision
What is the application deadline at Wisconsin-Madison?
Students must apply by January 16 to enroll at Wisconsin-Madison during the fall semester. Remember that college applications involve many pieces, including essays, a transcript, letters of recommendation, and more. Be sure to start your application as soon as you can to make sure you have enough time to make it as compelling as possible.
And if you’re considering applying Early Action at Wisconsin-Madison, remember that the deadline is November 1.
Academics
Student/Faculty Ratio
18:1
Graduation Rate
89%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Business, Management, & Marketing
15%
15% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
9%
9% of graduates
Social Sciences
9%
9% of graduates
Engineering
8%
8% of graduates
Computer & Information Sciences
7%
7% of graduates
Communications & Journalism
6%
6% of graduates
Health Professions & Related Programs
6%
6% of graduates
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, & Gender Studies
5%
5% of graduates
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.
5%
5% of graduates
Psychology
4%
4% of graduates
Visual & Performing Arts
3%
3% of graduates
Natural Resources & Conservation
3%
3% of graduates
Mathematics
3%
3% of graduates
Languages & Literatures
2%
2% of graduates
Education
2%
2% of graduates
Family & Consumer Sciences
2%
2% of graduates
Public Administration & Social Services
2%
2% of graduates
Agriculture & Agriculture Operations
2%
2% of graduates
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies
1%
1% of graduates
Physical Sciences
1%
1% of graduates
History
1%
1% of graduates
Legal Studies
1%
1% of graduates
English Language & Literature
1%
1% of graduates
Liberal Arts & Humanities
1%
1% of graduates
Philosophy & Religious Studies
1%
1% of graduates
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
35,665
Pell Grant 15%
Part-Time Undergrad Students 5%
Undergrad Students Over 25 3%
Percent Male / Female 47% / 53%
Ethnic Diversity at Wisconsin-Madison
60% White
11% Asian / Pacific Islander
10% International / Non-Citizen
8% Hispanic
5% Multiracial
3% Unknown
3% Black
Student Outcomes
Graduate Income
$73,792
Median Debt $20,484
Debt 10 years after graduation $217
Graduation Rate 89%
What is the graduation rate at University of Wisconsin-Madison?
89% of students who start at University of Wisconsin-Madison finish their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 31% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.
How much do graduates of University of Wisconsin-Madison go on to earn?
The median income of students 10 years after starting at University of Wisconsin-Madison is $73,792. This is $23,401 more than the national median.
This data is from the College Scorecard, which only surveys students from University of Wisconsin-Madison who received federal financial aid.
Graduate earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Major and career path are two important factors in how much a student goes on to earn. For more information, check out Scholarships360’s article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at Wisconsin-Madison take out in loans?
Graduates of Wisconsin-Madison take out a median of $20,484 in federal student loans. This is $6,984 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, be sure to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Scholarships360’s guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.
Data Sources
We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
If you represent University of Wisconsin-Madison and would like to make any corrections or supplement your college profile with additional information, you can fill out our free Premium Profile questionnaire here.
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