The University of Wisconsin-Madison, or UW, is a prominent public research university situated on a beautiful lakeside campus in Madison, Wisconsin. UW offers an array of well-regarded undergraduate and graduate programs, a plethora of research opportunities, and a vibrant campus with a thriving arts and culture scene. A typical UW student is active in extracurriculars, passionate about supporting their sports teams–the Badgers–and thrilled to be a UW student.
The UW community is guided by the “Wisconsin Idea,” or the principle that education should influence peoples' lives beyond the boundaries of the classroom. The Wisconsin Idea encourages the community to find ways to use their education to give back locally, nationally, and to the broader world.
UW is a big school, but first year students looking for a more intimate learning environment have the unique opportunity to participate in a First-Year Interest Group (FIG). FIGs are offered in a variety of different subjects, and bring a small cohort of students together to explore a common theme over three connected courses.
UW athletics are characterized by fierce competition and loyal, spirited fans. The Badgers compete against rivals like Northwestern, Ohio State, and UMich as members of the Big Ten Conference.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is home to the world’s first dairy school. The Babcock Hall Dairy Plant has been serving up delicious, creamy ice cream and dairy products on the UW Campus since 1951. Babcock now processes over 2 millions pounds of milk a year, and chocolate milk is its best seller! Some UW students say it’s even a tradition for graduates to have a scoop of ice cream before leaving campus.
"Great college town atmosphere, kids seemed genuinely happy to be there. Facilities are a mix of old and new, but a huge range of very good programs. Madison is just the right size–not too small to be claustrophobic, but not too big to get swept away by city life. Good for a self-motivated kid, but it could also be overwhelming for some."
University of Wisconsin-Madison is a public, state institution in the city of Madison, Wisconsin. UW Madison was founded in 1848. The college enrolls around 47,932 students per year, including 35,474 undergraduate students.
It is very difficult to get into UW Madison. Around 60% of applicants get into UW Madison each year. In 2022, 53,829 students applied to UW Madison and 32,466 were admitted.
University of Wisconsin-Madison Admissions Facts At-A-Glance | |
---|---|
Overall Acceptance Rate | 60% |
Early Decision Acceptance Rate | ED not offered |
Early Action Acceptance Rate | EA Offered but % not available |
Average GPA | 3.9 |
Test Optional | Yes |
Applicants Submitting SAT scores | 15% |
Click below to find out more about the admissions requirements and deadlines, student life, academics, majors and more.
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University of Wisconsin-Madison is locatedin the city of Madison, Wisconsin, in the city of Milwaukee.
If you want to see UW Madison for yourself, be sure to plan a visit! The best way to reach campus is to take Interstate 90/94 to Madison, or book a flight to the nearest airport, Dane County Regional.
You can also take a virtual campus tour to get a sense of what University of Wisconsin-Madison and Madison are like without leaving home.
First-Year Applications are Due
Transfer Applications are Due
The deadline for Fall first-year applications to UW Madison is Jan 15.
The deadline for Fall transfer applications to UW Madison is Mar 1.
Check the school website for more information about deadlines for specific programs or special admissions programs
Composite SAT Range
Math SAT Range
Reading SAT Range
Tuition & Fees
$26,363
In State$54,994
Out-of-StateWondering what life at UW Madison is like? There are approximately 47,932 students enrolled at UW Madison, including 35,474 undergraduate students and 12,458 graduate students. 90% percent of students attend school full-time, 58% percent are from WI and 42% percent of students are from other states.
90%
Full Time10%
Part Time58%
In State42%
Out-of-StateData Source: IPEDs and Peterson's Databases © 2022 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved
Total Enrollment
Campus Setting
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Out-of-State
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