University

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Madison, Wisconsin, United States

Verified · last verified 2026-09-02

University details

The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin. It offers undergraduate education across more than 130 majors and more than 70 undergraduate certificates, as well as online degree programs through UW–Madison Online. First-year applicants apply through either the Common Application or the Universities of Wisconsin Application and may choose an Early Action or Regular Decision timeline; Early Action is non-binding. Undergraduate admission uses a holistic review of each application.

Institution type: Public
Campus setting: Urban
Application platforms: Common App, Direct application
Testing policy: Test optional (2025–2026)
In-state tuition: $11,603
Out-of-state tuition: $42,103
Cost of attendance: Not available (2024–2025)
Undergraduate enrollment: 36,902

Website Admissions Financial aid

Common Data Set

Institution-reported facts by reporting cycle. Missing and withheld values are shown explicitly.

2025–2026 · most recent available

First-year admission rate

40.8%

Calculated from applications and admissions reported in CDS C1. This is a factual calculation, not a CollegePath rating.

Enrollment

Undergraduate enrollment (B1): 39,193 students
Full-time undergraduate enrollment (B1): 35,840 students
Part-time undergraduate enrollment (B1): 3,353 students

First-year admission

Majors

Accounting and Related Services
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
African Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
Agricultural Business and Management
Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, and Related Sciences
Agricultural Engineering
Engineering
Agricultural Public Services
Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, and Related Sciences
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
Health Professions and Related Programs
Animal Sciences
Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, and Related Sciences
Anthropology
Social Sciences

Deadlines

Early action · 2026–2027
2026-11-01 — First-year deadline listed in the Common App 2026–2027 Requirements Grid, updated 2026-08-14.
https://content.commonapp.org/Files/ReqGrid.pdf
Regular decision · 2026–2027
2027-01-15 — First-year deadline listed in the Common App 2026–2027 Requirements Grid, updated 2026-08-14.
https://content.commonapp.org/Files/ReqGrid.pdf

View deadlines from earlier years

2025–2026

Early action · 2025–2026
2025-11-01 — Fall Early Action application deadline; all materials due by November 9. Early Action is non-binding and decisions are released on or before January 31.

Supplemental essays

How many responses?

1 required UW–Madison response; application-platform prompt varies

All applicants answer the Why UW–Madison/major prompt; Universities of Wisconsin Application users also answer the identity/contribution prompt.

2026–2027

Required · Applicants using the Universities of Wisconsin Application
Each student is unique. Please tell us about the particular life experiences, talents, commitments, and/or interests you will bring to our campus.
Limit: 650 words — Required for the Universities of Wisconsin Application; Common App applicants submit a Common App essay.
https://admissions.wisc.edu/essays/
Required · First-year applicants
Tell us why you would like to attend the University of Wisconsin–Madison. In addition, please include why you are interested in studying the major(s) you have selected. If you selected undecided, please describe your areas of possible academic interest.
Limit: 650 words — Required for all applicants.

Application requirements

2026–2027

Application fee · Required
Value: $80
First-year U.S. application fee listed in the Common App 2026–2027 Requirements Grid, updated 2026-08-28.
https://content.commonapp.org/Files/ReqGrid.pdf
Fee waiver · Optional
Value: Accepted
Common App fee-waiver availability listed in the 2026–2027 Requirements Grid, updated 2026-08-28.
https://content.commonapp.org/Files/ReqGrid.pdf
Personal essay · Required
The Common App personal essay is marked required in the Common App 2026–2027 Requirements Grid, updated 2026-08-28.
https://content.commonapp.org/Files/ReqGrid.pdf
Supplemental essays · Required

Sources

Direct sources supporting this university’s facts, with retrieval dates.

Official source · supports supplemental_essays:2026–2027
https://admissions.wisc.edu/essays/
Retrieved 2026-09-03 — Official UW–Madison admissions essays page.
Secondary source · supports requirements:2026–2027
https://content.commonapp.org/Files/ReqGrid.pdf
Retrieved 2026-09-02 — Common App member-reported first-year fee, waiver, and personal-essay fields; grid updated 2026-08-28.
Common App 2026–2027 Requirements Grid · supports deadlines:2026–2027
https://content.commonapp.org/Files/ReqGrid.pdf
Retrieved 2026-08-20 — Common App member-reported first-year deadlines; grid updated 2026-08-14.
Official source · supports financial_aid_url
https://financialaid.wisc.edu/

First-year applications (C1)

First-year students admitted (C1)

30,167 students

First-year students enrolled (C1)

8,495 students

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 4.0 (C11)

53.9%

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 3.75-3.99 (C11)

33.72%

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 3.50-3.74 (C11)

8.5%

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 3.25-3.49 (C11)

2.9%

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 3.00-3.24 (C11)

0.73%

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 2.50-2.99 (C11)

0.25%

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 2.00-2.49 (C11)

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 1.00-1.99 (C11)

High-school GPA distribution · GPA below 1.0 (C11)

Not reported by institution

Average high-school GPA (C12)

3.91 GPA

The CDS reports an average and distribution, not GPA percentiles.

Testing

Enrolled students submitting scores · SAT (C9): 11.8%
Enrolled students submitting scores · ACT (C9): 28.7%
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing · 25th percentile (C9): 680 score
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing · 75th percentile (C9): 740 score
SAT Math · 25th percentile (C9): 700 score
SAT Math · 75th percentile (C9): 780 score
ACT Composite · 25th percentile (C9): 29 score
ACT Composite · 75th percentile (C9): 33 score

Academics and class size

Student-to-faculty ratio (I2): 18:1; The CDS labels this as a Fall 2025 ratio.

Source: University of Wisconsin-Madison Common Data Set 2025-2026 · Retrieved 2026-09-01

Open the official institutional source

Document ID: sha256:2712e70fdb546d479b435896e2f8c8cbb88df3843de3613b2d84da8481aa5855 · Import: cds-2026-09-v28

Apparel and Textiles

Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences

Applied Mathematics

Mathematics and Statistics

Area Studies

Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Physical Sciences

Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology

Physical Sciences

Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Biology, General

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Biomedical/Medical Engineering

Engineering

Botany/Plant Biology

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Business Administration, Management and Operations

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services

Chemical Engineering

Engineering

Chemistry

Physical Sciences

Civil Engineering

Engineering

Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Communication and Media Studies

Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs

Communication Disorders Sciences and Services

Health Professions and Related Programs

Computer and Information Sciences, General

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services

Computer Engineering

Engineering

Dance

Visual and Performing Arts

Data Science

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

Design and Applied Arts

Visual and Performing Arts

Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft

Visual and Performing Arts

East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Economics

Social Sciences

Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering

Engineering

Engineering Mechanics

Engineering

Engineering Physics

Engineering

Engineering, Other

Engineering

English Language and Literature, General

English Language and Literature/Letters

Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies

Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies

Family and Consumer Economics and Related Studies

Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences

Finance and Financial Management Services

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services

Fine and Studio Arts

Visual and Performing Arts

Food Science and Technology

Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, and Related Sciences

Forestry

Natural Resources and Conservation

General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services

Genetics

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Geography and Cartography

Social Sciences

Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences

Physical Sciences

Geological/Geophysical Engineering

Engineering

Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services

Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences

Industrial Engineering

Engineering

Information Science/Studies

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services

Insurance

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services

International Business

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services

International/Globalization Studies

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

Journalism

Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs

Landscape Architecture

Architecture and Related Services

Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services

Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Management Information Systems and Services

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services

Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services

Marketing

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services

Materials Engineering

Engineering

Mathematics

Mathematics and Statistics

Mechanical Engineering

Engineering

Microbiological Sciences and Immunology

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

Music

Visual and Performing Arts

Natural Resources Conservation and Research

Natural Resources and Conservation

Neurobiology and Neurosciences

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Non-Professional Legal Studies

Legal Professions and Studies

Nuclear Engineering

Engineering

Nutrition Sciences

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

Pharmacology and Toxicology

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration

Health Professions and Related Programs

Philosophy

Philosophy and Religious Studies

Physics

Physical Sciences

Plant Sciences

Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, and Related Sciences

Political Science and Government

Social Sciences

Psychology, General

Psychology

Real Estate

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

Health Professions and Related Programs

Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions

Health Professions and Related Programs

Religion/Religious Studies

Philosophy and Religious Studies

Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Slavic, Baltic and Albanian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education

Education

Social Work

Public Administration and Social Service Professions

Sociology

Social Sciences

Soil Sciences

Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, and Related Sciences

Special Education and Teaching

Education

Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness

Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies

Statistics

Mathematics and Statistics

Sustainability Studies

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods

Education

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas

Education

Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management

Natural Resources and Conservation

Zoology/Animal Biology

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Financial aid · 2025–2026

2025-12-01 — FAFSA priority deadline for all 2026-27 financial aid applicants (school code 003895). Additional financial_aid date(s) for this cycle: 2025-12-01 (CSS Profile priority deadline for incoming students for the 2026-27 aid year (school code 1846).).

https://financialaid.wisc.edu/applying/

Regular decision · 2025–2026

2026-01-15 — Fall Regular Decision application deadline; all materials due by January 22. Decisions released on or before March 31.

https://admissions.wisc.edu/deadlines/

View supplemental prompts from earlier years

2025–2026

Required · all first-year applicants (Common Application and Universities of Wisconsin Application)
Tell us why you would like to attend the University of Wisconsin–Madison. In addition, please include why you are interested in studying the major(s) you have selected. If you selected undecided, please describe your areas of possible academic interest.
No length limit reported — Required of all first-year applicants regardless of application platform.
https://admissions.wisc.edu/apply-as-a-freshman/
Required · first-year applicants using the Universities of Wisconsin Application
Each student is unique. Please tell us about the particular life experiences, talents, commitments, and/or interests you will bring to our campus.
No length limit reported — Required only of applicants using the Universities of Wisconsin Application; Common Application applicants instead respond to a Common Application first-year essay prompt.
https://admissions.wisc.edu/apply-as-a-freshman/

Value: 1 required UW–Madison response; application-platform prompt varies

All applicants answer the Why UW–Madison/major prompt; Universities of Wisconsin Application users also answer the identity/contribution prompt.

2025–2026

Application fee · Required
Value: 80
$80.00 USD non-refundable application fee.
https://admissions.wisc.edu/required-materials/
Fee waiver · Optional
Application fee waivers are available for applicants with financial hardship via the Application Fee Waiver Request Form.
https://admissions.wisc.edu/required-materials/
Recommendation letters · Required
Value: 1
One letter from someone who can attest to academic ability (teacher, counselor, or faculty member) is required; one additional letter from an employer, coach, mentor, community leader, or clergy is optional. Letters expire one year from the date written.
https://admissions.wisc.edu/required-materials/
Supplemental essays · Required
Value: 2
Two essays required. All applicants respond to the UW–Madison interest/major prompt; the first essay is a Common Application first-year essay (Common App applicants) or the 'Each student is unique' prompt (Universities of Wisconsin Application applicants).
https://admissions.wisc.edu/apply-as-a-freshman/
Secondary school report · Required
Official course and grade information from grades 9–12 is required. Common Application applicants may self-report or submit official transcripts.
https://admissions.wisc.edu/required-materials/
English proficiency · Required
Required for applicants educated in non-English-speaking countries (e.g., TOEFL 80+, IELTS 6.5+, Duolingo English Test 115+).
https://admissions.wisc.edu/required-materials/
CSS Profile · Required
Beginning with the 2026-27 application year, all incoming first-degree, on-campus undergraduate students are required to submit the CSS Profile (school code 1846). Priority deadline December 1.
https://financialaid.wisc.edu/applying/
FAFSA · Required
Required for financial aid consideration; UW–Madison school code 003895. Priority deadline December 1 for the 2026-27 aid year.
https://financialaid.wisc.edu/applying/

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports application_platforms

https://admissions.wisc.edu/required-materials/

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports testing_policy

https://admissions.wisc.edu/required-materials/

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports deadlines

https://admissions.wisc.edu/deadlines/

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports essay_prompts

https://admissions.wisc.edu/apply-as-a-freshman/

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports requirements

https://admissions.wisc.edu/required-materials/

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports requirements

https://admissions.wisc.edu/apply-as-a-freshman/

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports requirements

https://financialaid.wisc.edu/applying/

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports deadlines

https://financialaid.wisc.edu/applying/

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports description

https://admissions.wisc.edu/

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source · supports admissions_url

https://admissions.wisc.edu/apply-as-a-freshman/

Retrieved 2026-07-21

Official source

https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?240444

Retrieved 2026-06-10