UW - Madison Academic Snapshot
Admission Selectiveness:
- Admission Rate: 45.20%. Selective, indicating a somewhat competitive admission process.
- SAT Average: 1460. Excellent SAT scores, indicating highly competitive applicants and often placing them in the top percentiles nationally.
Tuition Overview:
- In-State Tuition: $11,603
- Out-of-State Tuition: $42,103
- In-state tuition is affordable, while out-of-state tuition is higher, as is typical for public institutions.
Student Population at UW - Madison:
- Total Enrollment: 51,044, including 1,454 online students
- 38,040 Undergraduate, 13,004 Graduate
- Gender Distribution: 46.9% men, 53.1% women.
- This is a very large institution, likely offering a vast array of programs, research opportunities, and extracurricular activities.
Graduation & Retention Rate
- Graduation Rate: 90%. High graduation rate, indicating strong student support and academic success.
- First-Year Retention Rate: 96%. Excellent retention, indicating students are satisfied and supported.
Programs & Degrees Offered
- Programs Offered: 509 academic programs available.
- Online Programs: 28 programs available fully online.
- Graduate Programs: 258 graduate-level programs offered.
- Special Programs: Law School, Medical School, Health Professions.
- Degrees Awarded: Certificate, Bachelor's, Master's, Doctor's.
UW - Madison Overview
University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW - Madison) is a four-year, public school located in Madison, WI. It is classified as Research University with very high research activity by Carnegie Classification, also known as R1 University. You can compare their tuition and admission statistics at R1 University comparison page.
The UW - Madison's tuition & fees is $11,603 for Wisconsin residents and $42,103 for out-of-state students for the academic year 2024-2025. 43% of the enrolled undergraduates have received grants or scholarships, with an average aid amount of $15,223.
The school has a total enrollment of 51,044 and the students to faculty ratio is 18 to 1 (5.56%).
UW - Madison's acceptance rate is 45.20% and the yield (enrollment rate) is 28.59%. The median SAT score is 1460 and the ACT score is 31.
UW - Madison ranked 56th in National Universities and 1st in Wisconsin Colleges rankings. University of Wisconsin-Madison is accredited by Higher Learning Commission.
2025 Tuition & Fees and 2026 Estimation
For undergraduate programs, the 2025 tuition & fees of University of Wisconsin-Madison is $11,603 for in-state students and $42,103 for out-of-state students. For graduate programs, its 2025 tuition & fees is $12,325 for in-state students and $25,651 for out-of-state students.
The estimated 2026 tuition & fees for prospective students is $12,015 for Wisconsin residents and $43,658 for out-of-state students based on the current year tuition changes from last year. The estimated 2026 graduate school tuition & fees is $12,361 for Wisconsin residents and $25,687 for out-of-state students.
| In-State | Out-of-State |
| Undergraduate | $11,603 | $42,103 |
|---|
| Graduate | $12,325 | $25,651 |
| In-State | Out-of-State |
| Undergraduate | $12,015 | $43,658 |
|---|
| Graduate | $12,361 | $25,687 |
The estimation for 2025-2026 tuition costs is based on the cost change rates of last year.
Learning Opportunities and Campus Services
University of Wisconsin-Madison offers online classes (distance learning opportunities) for both undergraduate and graduate programs. It has ROTC programs and offers teacher certification programs designed to prepare students to meet the requirements for certification as teachers.
Special Learning Opportunities at UW - Madison
| Learning Opportunities |
| ROTC | Army, NAVY, Air Force |
| Weekend/Evening College | No |
| Teacher Certification | Yes |
| Study Abroad | Yes |
| On-Campus Services |
| Academic/career counseling service | Yes |
| Employment services for students | Yes |
| Placement services for completers | Yes |
| On-campus day care for students' children | Yes |
University of Wisconsin-Madison Directory Information
Tools for analyzing and comparing UW - Madison