University of Wisconsin—Madison is a public institution that was founded in 1848. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 35,474 (fall 2021), its setting is city, and the campus size is 936 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. University of Wisconsin—Madison’s ranking in the 2022-2023 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, #38. Its in-state tuition and fees are $10,796; out-of-state tuition and fees are $39,427.
The University of Wisconsin—Madison lies along the southern shore of Lake Mendota in the city of Madison. The Wisconsin Badgers compete in more than 20 NCAA Division I sports and are part of the Big Ten Conference. Students can get involved in nearly 900 organizations on campus. There is also an active Greek life and social scene on campus, evident in Wisconsin’s reputation as one of the top party schools in the country. Freshmen are not required to live on campus, but many choose to do so. Students can opt to live in one of several residential communities where they learn and live with other students and faculty.
Overview of University of Wisconsin–Madison
University of Wisconsin—Madison is a public institution that was founded in 1848. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 33,456, its setting is city, and the campus size is 936 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. University of Wisconsin—Madison’s ranking in the 2021 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, #42. Its in-state tuition and fees are $10,741; out-of-state tuition and fees are $38,629.
The University of Wisconsin—Madison lies along the southern shore of Lake Mendota in the city of Madison. The Wisconsin Badgers compete in more than 20 NCAA Division I sports and are part of the Big Ten Conference. Students can get involved in nearly 900 organizations on campus. There is also an active Greek life and social scene on campus, evident in Wisconsin’s reputation as one of the top party schools in the country. Freshmen are not required to live on campus, but many choose to do so. Students can opt to live in one of several residential communities where they learn and live with other students and faculty.
The University of Wisconsin—Madison’s highly ranked graduate schools include the School of Education, Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs, College of Engineering, School of Business, School of Medicine and Public Health and Law School. The school’s legacy of public service was founded on the “Wisconsin Idea” that education should influence and improve people’s lives beyond the classroom. Notable Wisconsin alumni include renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly and author Joyce Carol Oates. Other past students include former Vice President Dick Cheney, aviator Charles Lindbergh, naturalist John Muir and architect Frank Lloyd Wright.
University of Wisconsin-Madison Acceptance Rate: 60%
The University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison) is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin. UW-Madison was founded in 1848 as part of the University of Wisconsin system, and is the flagship university of that system. UW-Madison is a university that has made tremendous strides in the last two decades and now enjoys a great reputation nationwide. Acceptance to UW – Madison is considered very attainable for the right student.
If you’ve decided that the University of Wisconsin-Madison is the university for you, it is important to know all you can about the application process and what UW-Madison expects from its applicants prior to submitting your application to give you the best possible chance of gaining admission.
Given the University of Wisconsin-Madison acceptance rate in comparison to other highly-regarded academic institutions, you may think it is much easier to gain admission to UW-Madison than other schools. Whilst it would certainly appear, given that percentage, that admission to UW-Madison is much easier, that is not to say that it is a given even for the most qualified students. The university goes through a strict decisions process before landing at the University of Wisconsin-Madison acceptance rate percentage for that year which it then makes public.
As noted, UW-Madison accepted 60% of all applicants for its 2021-22 admissions cycle. There were a total of 53,829 applicants for this cohort, which represented a record for the university. As a result of COVID-19, the university adopted a ‘test-optional’ policy through to the 2024–25 admission cycles in which its applicants could submit test scores if they wished but were not required to do so in order to be considered for admission. Regardless of whether students chose to submit test scores, UW-Madison placed a large emphasis on both their academic and intellectual fit for the school and this includes a range of factors outside of standardized testing requirements.
We are going to explore the complex nature of the admission process and how you can give yourself the best chance of standing out amongst the crowd when it comes to UW-Madison..
Chances of getting into University of Wisconsin Madison
Acceptance Rate
Acceptance Rate
54.4%
| Admission Standards | Exceptional | |
| Applicant Competition | Average |
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How hard is it to get into Wisconsin and can I get accepted? The school has a 54% acceptance rate ranking it #2 in Wisconsin for lowest rate of acceptance. Last year, 23,886 out of 43,896 applicants were admitted making Wisconsin a more competitive school to get into with a good chance of acceptance for qualifying applicants. Academically, it has extremely high requirements for admission test scores, generally admitting students who score in the top 14 percent. University of Wisconsin Madison typically accepts and attracts “A-” average high school students. Only 32% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school. Most incoming freshmen graduated in the top quarter of their high school class.
Test Requirements
You must submit admission test scores with your application. University of Wisconsin Madison is not a test optional school. Note: Please consult the school directly to determine if testing requirements are temporarily suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wisconsin SAT Scores
SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score
SAT Range
1300-1480
Applicants Submitting SAT
23%
| SAT Reading 25th | 630 |
| SAT Math 25th | 670 |
| SAT Composite 25th | 1300 |
| SAT Reading 75th | 700 |
| SAT Math 75th | 780 |
| SAT Composite 75th | 1480 |
| Average SAT Score | 1390 |
SAT Scores you need to get in
What are the SAT requirements for students to be admitted to University of Wisconsin Madison?
University of Wisconsin Madison typically prefers applicants to be in the top 12 percent of SAT test takers. The school consistently takes SAT composite scores down to 1300 on a 1600 scale, below which admission should be considered a reach. We estimate some students could be accepted with SAT’s as low as 1210. The estimated average SAT composite for admitted freshman is 1390 out of 1600. The school ranks #1 in Wisconsin for highest average SAT composite score. 23 percent of applicants submit SAT scores to the school.Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2019 starting class
Estimated Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score
| SAT Score (1600 scale) | Competitiveness | Admission Chances |
|---|---|---|
| 1480 and Above | Good | >67% |
| 1390 to 1480 | Avg + | 54%-67% |
| 1300 to 1390 | Avg – | 41%-54% |
| 1210 to 1300 | Reach | 29%-41% |
| Less than 1210 | Low | <29% |
Wisconsin ACT Scores
ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score
ACT Range
27-32
Applicants Submitting ACT
84%
| ACT Reading 25th | 26 |
| ACT Math 25th | 26 |
| ACT Composite 25th | 27 |
| ACT Reading 75th | 34 |
| ACT Math 75th | 31 |
| ACT Composite 75th | 32 |
| Average ACT Score | 29 |
ACT Scores needed to get accepted
What are the ACT requirements for prospective students to get into Wisconsin?
Admission data indicates that Wisconsin regularly accepts students with ACT’s of 27 and above. Successful applicants typically send ACT scores in the top 15 percent nationally. We estimate the school accepting minimum ACT composite scores around 24 in some instances. Prospective students submitting an ACT composite of 30 or higher should be in the upper half of applicants – and students with a 32 and above have very competitive chances. The school ranks #1 in Wisconsin for highest average ACT composite score. Scoring well on the ACT is very important as 84 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to University of Wisconsin Madison.Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2019 starting class
Estimated Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score
| ACT Score | Competitiveness | Admission Chances |
|---|---|---|
| 32 and Above | Good | >69% |
| 29 to 32 | Avg + | 54%-69% |
| 27 to 29 | Avg – | 43%-54% |
| 25 to 27 | Reach | 33%-43% |
| Less than 25 | Low | <33% |
Applicants require exceptionally good grades to get into Wisconsin. The average high school GPA of the admitted freshman class at University of Wisconsin Madison was 3.84 on the 4.0 scale indicating that primarily A- students are accepted and ultimately attend. The school ranks #1 in Wisconsin for highest average GPA. If your high school GPA meets these requirements, there is a good chance you will be accepted as Wisconsin accepts 54% of students who apply.
What do these ratings mean?
| High School GPA | Freshmen Within Range | Competitiveness |
|---|---|---|
| 3.75+ | 69% | Good |
| 3.50 to 3.75 | 21% | Avg – |
| 3.25 to 3.50 | 10% | Reach |
| 3.00 to 3.25 | 1% | Low |
| 2.75 to 3.00 | N/A% | Low |
| 2.50 to 2.75 | N/A% | Low |
| 2.25 to 2.50 | N/A% | Low |
| 2.00 to 2.25 | N/A% | Low |
Highlights
| Type of University | Public |
| Faculty Members | 22,365 |
| Number of Undergraduate Students | 31,185 |
| Number of Postgraduate Students | 11,758 |
| Number of International Students | 5,885 |
| Annual Acceptance Rate | 51% |
| Basic Tuition Fee for International Undergraduate Students | 37,785 USD |
| Basic Tuition Fee for International Graduate Students | 24,054 USD |
| Test Scores Accepted | IELTS/TOEFL/SAT/ACT |
| Official website | wisc.edu |
Campus and Accommodation
University of Wisconsin Campus
The university has a campus of about 933-acres and lies along the southern shore of Lake Mendota in the city of Madison. The campus was listed among the most beautiful university campuses in the United States in the year 2012.
Various activities and services are provided to the students on the campus of the college. It consists of various athletics and sports teams, out of which the football team of the college has been ranked #1 in The College Football Town in America
There are 215 campus buildings at the institute with over 900 student organizations to choose from. The institute has 23 varsity teams that represent the student athletic body. Its student body is some 45,317 students with international students being 7,219 in number. At the university, more than 90% of freshmen choose to live on-campus.
The Wisconsin library is known to be the twelfth largest library in North America. Also, the university has a radio station within the campus, WSUM 91.7 FM.
Housing facilities/Residence
- The university provides both on-campus and off-campus housing facilities. There are 21 residence halls, 11 living communities and two neighborhoods at UW -Madison.
- There are three university apartments and neighborhoods for graduate students.
- The smallest residence hall offers a home to 30 residents, while the largest hall offers a home to 1,250 residents.
- The University Housing is a 20-acre apartment community that offers easy bike or bus access to UW-Madison’s campus, numerous picnic and playground areas.
- Each room in the residence halls has a bed, mattress, desk, desk chair, bookcase, dresser, compact refrigerator, closets, waste bins, recycling bin, mirror, window coverings, and local Wi-Fi.
- Amenities at the institute include hall desks, high-speed internet, TV, laundry, Resident Assistant or Advisor, lounge, recreation room, laundry room, music room and study dens and social lounges on each floor.
- There are affordable off-campus housings around Wisconsin for students who are qualified and wish to live off-campus.
- Housing for disabled or special medical students is made available on-demand basis.
University of Wisconsin Courses
- The university offers an array of courses for international students including over 9,000 courses through 13 schools and colleges.
- There are 232 undergraduate majors and certificates, 158 master’s programs and 109 doctoral programs at UW -Madison.
- It provides a full-time MBA program in ten different specializations to students.
- Popular programs at UW -Madison include Business and Management, Biology, Education, Medicine, Nursing, Economics, Law and Public Affairs.
- Its study-abroad program allows students to study more than 100 summer programs in a variety of languages, including many in English to students.
- It offers more than 40 professional programs online to its candidates across the globe.
Top Programs at the University of Wisconsin – Madison
| Programs | Fees Per Annum |
|---|---|
| MSc Computer Science | $25,526 |
| MSc Biomedical Data Science | $25,548 |
| MBA | $56,938 |
| EMBA | $40,692 |
| MSc Mechanical Engineering | $25,548 |
University of Wisconsin Application Process
How to Apply?
Application Portal: Common Application or UW System Application. Graduate applicants can apply using the Graduate Application webpage for graduates.
Application fee: 60 USD for undergraduates, 75 USD for graduates.
Basic Admission Requirements
- Academic records for the equivalent of U.S. grades 9–12
- All official transcripts
- Essays
- Letter of recommendation(s)
- SAT or ACT (if applicable)
- Language test scores for undergraduates (TOEFL -iBT: 95-105, IELTS: 6.5-7.5)
- Language test scores for graduates (TOEFL -iBT: 92, IELTS: 7.0)
- Bachelor’s degree (minimum GPA of 3.00)
- Proof of funding
- GRE or GMAT (if required by Graduate school)
- Resume or CV (if required)
- Statement of purpose (if required)
- Specific program requirements
- Documents for Visa processing
Application Deadlines
The application deadlines for the year 2020 are as listed below:
| Season | Application Deadline |
|---|---|
| Spring Regular | October 1 |
| Fall Early | November 1 |
| Fall Regular | February 1 |
University of Wisconsin Cost of Attendance
All the prospective candidates of the institute are recommended to plan their list of finances before applying to the university. To help you with the same, an estimated budget for international students looking to study in the US has been tabulated below.
| Type of Fee | Undergraduate (in USD) | Graduate (in USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition and fees | 39,686 | 25,506 |
| Books & Supplies | 1,150 USD | 1,150 USD |
| Housing & Meals | 12,200 USD | 1,766 USD |
| Personal | 2,266 USD | 5,792 USD |
| Transportation | 1,324 USD | 834 USD |
University of Wisconsin: Scholarships/Financial Aid
The university provides grants, student jobs, fellowships and scholarships for international students to study in the USA. About 62% of undergraduates receive aids at the institute. The average amount students receive in scholarships and grants is 8,063 USD.
Some of the scholarships open to international students include:
- King-Morgridge scholars program: Students are selected for these scholarships with a drive towards academic success and commitment to addressing issues of poverty in their own countries. King-Morgridge Scholars must hail from countries in Africa, the Caribbean, Latin American, South, and Southeast Asia. This scholarship covers tuition and fees, on-campus residence and board, health insurance, airfare, and a stipend for miscellaneous expenses for four years of undergraduate study.
- Hilldale Undergraduate/Faculty Research Fellowship: This aid provides the opportunity for students to undertake their research project while collaborating with the institute’s faculty or research/instructional academic staff. The amount is 3,000 USD.
- Foreign Fulbright Program: The Fulbright program offers scholarships in the United States to international Masters and Ph.D. students. This program also awards scholarships to non-degree postgraduate students. The grant covers tuition and fees, books and supplies, travel expenses, cost of living stipend, and health insurance. Eligibility is by academic merit. The application is carried on the Fulbright website.
Work while you Study
The University provides students access to thousands of part-time employment opportunities both through UW-Madison as well as businesses & families within the local community. It offers a variety of on-campus working options to the students. Most UW departments offer flexible hours and a student first mindset. The college also posts part-time employment opportunities at local private and public employers throughout the Madison area.
Alumni Network
The university alumni benefits include:
- Alumni get special access to UW -Madison online libraries
- Free subscription to the Badger Inside Magazine
- Flat rates of 50% off air and 30% off ground on UPS shipping services
- 15% discounts on all Pure Cycles bicycle purchases.
Notable alumni include:
- Dick Cheney – Businessman, Politician and 46th Vice President of the United States of America
- Laurel Clark – Medical doctor and NASA astronaut
- Greta Van Susteren – Lawyer, commentator, and television news anchor
- Anders Holm – Writer, actor, producer, and comedian
University of Wisconsin Placements
The MBA class of 2019 at the institute received an average base starting salary of 107,949 USD. Nearly 90% of MBA graduates at the university actively seeking employment received offers within three months of graduation.
In 2017/2018, 65% of graduates planning to work had received an offer and accepted a position they were considering at the time of graduation. The average salary of BS-entry level Nuclear Engineering graduates at the institute is 72,083 USD.
Top employers of its graduates are Oracle, Mercer, Kohl’s, Milliman, Epic and UW Health. It organizes career fairs intermittently for students to meet prospective employers. According to PayScale, the average salary of UW -Madison alumni is 72,000 USD.
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