US CollegesGetting in
University of Wisconsin-Madison admits 45% of those who apply, which makes it moderately selective. The median admission rate of colleges on this site that report one is 77%. The average SAT score of admitted students is 1427 out of 1600 (midpoints: 680 in reading and writing, 730 in maths). The midpoint ACT score is 29 out of 36.
What it costs
| Tuition and fees, students from Wisconsin | $12,166 |
| Tuition and fees, students from elsewhere | $44,191 |
| Room and meals on campus | $14,520 |
| Books and supplies | $1,800 |
| Average full cost of a year (tuition, living, books), before aid | $29,943 |
| Average net price after grants and scholarships | $16,600 |
The net price is what students who got federal aid paid on average for a year after grants and scholarships were taken off (for a public college, students from inside the state). It is 18% below the median net price of colleges in Wisconsin on this site ($20,254). International students are normally charged the out-of-state tuition and do not receive US federal aid.
Net price by family income
| Family income a year | Average net price |
|---|---|
| Up to $30,000 | $3,424 |
| $30,001 to $48,000 | $3,837 |
| $48,001 to $75,000 | $6,026 |
| $75,001 to $110,000 | $15,839 |
| Above $110,000 | $28,208 |
For students who received federal aid. A negative figure means grants were larger than the cost counted.
For an estimate that fits your own family, use the college's net price calculator.
Results
| Measure | This college | WI median | US median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students who come back for a second year | 96% | 76% | 73% |
| Students who finish their degree (within one and a half times the normal length) | 90% | 59% | 49% |
| Median earnings 10 years after starting | $80,330 | $59,359 | $53,132 |
| Median federal loan debt of those who finish | $18,375 | $21,938 | $19,994 |
Medians are the middle value of the colleges on this site in Wisconsin and in the whole country. Completion and return rates count first-time, full-time students. Earnings and debt count students who received federal aid.
The students
19% of undergraduates receive a Pell Grant, the federal grant for students from lower-income families. 20% take a federal student loan. The undergraduate body is 53% women and 47% men. By undergraduate numbers it is number 1 of the 40 colleges in Wisconsin on this site that report a size; the middle-sized one has 1,322.
Other colleges in Wisconsin of a similar size
- University of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeMilwaukee, public
- University of Wisconsin-WhitewaterWhitewater, public
- University of Wisconsin-La CrosseLa Crosse, public
- University of Wisconsin-Eau ClaireEau Claire, public
- Marquette UniversityMilwaukee, private nonprofit
- University of Wisconsin-Stevens PointStevens Point, public
Common questions
What is the acceptance rate of University of Wisconsin-Madison?
University of Wisconsin-Madison admits 45% of applicants, according to the College Scorecard.
How much is tuition at University of Wisconsin-Madison?
Published tuition and fees are $12,166 a year for students from Wisconsin and $44,191 for others. Most students with aid pay less: see the net price.
What is the graduation rate of University of Wisconsin-Madison?
90% of first-time, full-time students finish within one and a half times the normal length of the course.
Source: College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education, data released on 2 November 2026; checked in November 2026. Net price, debt and earnings describe students who received US federal aid. Costs change each year. This is official data for general information, not advice: confirm costs and admission rules on the college's own website and at collegescorecard.ed.gov.