The average acceptance rate at UW - Madison over the past 10 years is 52.50%, and the most recent acceptance rate is 45.20%.
The average yield (enrollment rate) over the period is 31.37%, and the 2025 yield is 28.59%. Overall, the yield has decreased by 26.43% from 2015 to 2025.
The number of UW - Madison applicants increased by 3.76% (2,389 applicants) compared to the previous year. Over the entire 10-year period, applicants increased by 135.28% overall.
Key Takeaways: UW - Madison Admission Metrics
Acceptance Rate Overview
The current acceptance rate for the 2025 admission cycle is 45.20%, representing an increasingly selective admissions process. This indicates that UW - Madison has become more competitive over the past decade, as the institution receives a growing number of applications while maintaining or reducing the number of admitted students.
Yield Rate & Enrollment Patterns
The admission yield (the percentage of admitted students who enroll) for the 2025 academic year is 28.59%. The declining yield trend suggests that a lower percentage of admitted students are choosing to enroll at UW - Madison. This pattern may reflect increased competition from peer institutions, changing student demographics, or shifts in institutional enrollment strategy.
Application Volume & Admission Trends
For the 2025 admission cycle, UW - Madison received approximately 65,894 applications, admitted 29,782 students, and enrolled 8,514 students. The rising application volume trend indicates that UW - Madison is attracting an increasing number of prospective students over time. This growth in applications typically reflects enhanced institutional visibility, improved marketing initiatives, or increasing perceived value in the higher education market.
Acceptance Rate Changes
UW - Madison 10-Year Admission Rate Summary: The acceptance rate trends at UW - Madison over the past decade show a relatively stable trend, with fluctuations in both directions. The average acceptance rate over this period is 52.50%, while the most recent rate stands at 45.20%. This data reflects the institution's evolving competitiveness in the higher education admissions landscape.
For the most recent admission cycle (2025), the acceptance rate is 45.20%. By gender, the average acceptance rate for men is 49.30% and for women is 55.65%.
The following table and chart show how acceptance rates at UW - Madison have changed over the past 10 years (2015-2025).
Admission Yield (Enrollment Rate) Changes
UW - Madison has demonstrated a decline in admission yield over the past 10 years. The institution's yield rate has decreased from 38.86% in 2015 to 28.59% in 2025, representing a 26.43% decrease. The 10-year average yield stands at 31.37%, reflecting weakening enrollment performance.
The following table and chart illustrate the changes in yield at UW - Madison from 2015 to 2025. The admission yield has decreased by 26.43% over this period.
Applicants, Admitted, and Enrolled Headcount Changes
Over the past 10 years, The average number of applicants is 47,237, the average number of admitted is 24,396, and the average number of first-year enrolled students is 7,452.
The number of UW - Madison applicants increased by 3.76% (2,389 applicants) compared to the previous year. Over the entire 10-year period, applicants increased by 135.28% overall.
The following table and chart show the changes of applicants, admitted, and enrolled headcount at University of Wisconsin-Madison from 2015 to 2025.
Compare Acceptance Rate Change to Similar Colleges
The following table compares University of Wisconsin-Madison' acceptance rate to similar schools.