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University of Wisconsin-Madison : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings

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About University of Wisconsin-Madison

Set between two sparkling lakes, this flagship campus pairs serious research with a friendly Midwestern vibe. Students find depth across the sciences, engineering, health, public affairs, education, the arts, and the humanities, with a reputation for hands on inquiry and strong writing and quantitative work. Libraries, studios, and advanced labs sit alongside makerspaces and greenhouses. Support includes advising, tutoring, counseling and health services, plus a career center that understands first year to post grad needs.

Life here spills onto lakeshore paths and the terrace with its bright chairs. Clubs, service projects, music, and outdoor rec keep things lively, from paddling in early fall to skating when it's cold. The culture leans curious, civic minded, and a little proudly scrappy; the Wisconsin Idea still runs deep. Career prep shows up in internships with state government, local health systems, and a steady tech scene, along with research roles and co ops. The city's live music, galleries, and farmers markets frame weekends. Traditions stick, too, like Babcock ice cream and that jump around roar on fall Saturdays.

Key Institutional Details

Contact & Profile

Location
500 Lincoln Dr, Madison, Wisconsin, 53706, USA
Phone
+1 (608) 263-2400
Website
wisc.edu
Unit ID
240444

Academic & Institutional

Control
Public institution (funded by state or local government)
Accreditation
HLC
Length of Study
Programs under 2 years (e.g. certificate or diploma)
Calendar System
Semester system (two main terms per year)
Award Levels
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
Doctorate (P)
Other Award
Campus Setting
Located in a large city (population of 250,000 or more)
Carnegie Classification
Doctoral - R1 (Very High Research)
Tuition & Fees
In-State
$11,205
Tuition $9,644 + Fee $1,561
Out-of-State
$40,603
Tuition $39,042 + Fee $1,561
Student Profile
Total Students 49,605
Undergraduate 35,665
Graduate/Other 13,940
Male: 23,279 Female: 26,326
Applications
Total Applicants 63,505
Admitted 27,529
Enrolled 7,964
Acceptance: 43.3% Yield: 28.9%
Staff
Total Staff 20,893
Full-time 18,115
Part-time 2,778
Full-time: 86.7% Part-time: 13.3%

Academic Programs & Fields of Study

University of Wisconsin-Madison offers 245 degree programs across 28 major academic fields, graduating approximately 19,263 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Business (18 programs, 2,936 graduates), Social Sciences (12 programs, 1,706 graduates), Engineering (19 programs, 1,687 graduates), Biological Sciences (26 programs, 1,666 graduates) and Health (27 programs, 1,487 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.

Business (18 programs, 2,936 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Finance, General 426
Bachelor's
Master's
 52.0801
Entrepreneurship Studies 360
Other Award
 52.0701
Retailing and Retail Operations 269
Bachelor's
 52.1803
Marketing Management 260
Bachelor's
Master's
 52.1401
Business Administration 247
Master's
Doctorate (R)
Other Award
 52.0101
Real Estate 247
Bachelor's
Master's
 52.1501
Accounting 224
Bachelor's
Master's
Other Award
 52.0301
Financial Planning and Services 174
Bachelor's
 52.0804
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods 160
Master's
 52.1399
Business Administration and Management 128
Bachelor's
Master's
 52.0201
Insurance Studies 119
Bachelor's
Master's
 52.1701
Operations Management and Supervision 91
Bachelor's
 52.0205
Actuarial Science 63
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
 52.1304
Management Information Systems 57
Bachelor's
 52.1201
International Business and Trade 48
Bachelor's
Other Award
 52.1101
Business Administration and Management 40
Other Award
 52.0299
Management Science 19
Master's
 52.1301
Sales Skills and Operations 4
Bachelor's
 52.1804
Social Sciences (12 programs, 1,706 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Economics 627
Bachelor's
Other Award
 45.0601
Political Science and Government 370
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
Other Award
 45.1001
Criminology 190
Other Award
 45.0401
Econometrics and Quantitative Economics 177
Master's
Doctorate (R)
 45.0603
Sociology 111
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
 45.1101
Geographic Information Science and Cartography 76
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
 45.0702
Anthropology 49
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
 45.0201
Geography 48
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
 45.0701
Political Science and Government 23
Other Award
 45.1099
Rural Sociology 18
Bachelor's
 45.1103
International Relations 13
Master's
 45.0901
Archaeology 4
Other Award
 45.0301
Engineering (19 programs, 1,687 graduates)
Engineering Sciences and Applied Technology Solutions
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Mechanical Engineering 345
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
 14.1901
Electrical and Electronics Engineering 245
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
 14.1001
Industrial Engineering 174
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
 14.3501
Biomedical Engineering 173
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
 14.0501
Chemical Engineering 134
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
 14.0701
Civil Engineering 129
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
 14.0801
Computer Engineering 107
Bachelor's
 14.0901
General Engineering 66
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Other Award
 14.0101
Materials Engineering 59
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
 14.1801
Environmental Health Engineering 51
Bachelor's
Other Award
 14.1401
Engineering Mechanics 50
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
 14.1101
Agricultural Engineering 42
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
 14.0301
Engineering 33
Bachelor's
Other Award
 14.9999
Nuclear Engineering 29
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
 14.2301
Electrical and Electronics Engineering 17
Postbac Cert.
 14.1099
Systems Engineering 16
Master's
Other Award
 14.2701
Geological and Geophysical Engineering 12
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
 14.3901
Engineering Physics 3
Bachelor's
 14.1201
Polymer and Plastics Engineering 2
Postbac Cert.
 14.3201
Biological Sciences (26 programs, 1,666 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Biology and Biological Sciences 506
Bachelor's
Other Award
 26.0101
Neuroscience 285
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
 26.1501
Biochemistry 191
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
 26.0202
Genetics 123
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
 26.0801
Microbiology 95
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
 26.0502
Conservation Biology 88
Bachelor's
 26.1307
Molecular Biology 73
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
 26.0204
Zoology and Animal Biology 54
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
 26.0701
Biotechnology 47
Master's
 26.1201
Botany and Plant Biology 32
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
 26.0301
Biophysics 21
Master's
Doctorate (R)
 26.0203
Pharmacology and Toxicology 21
Bachelor's
 26.1007
Bioinformatics 16
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
 26.1103
Animal Physiology 15
Master's
Doctorate (R)
 26.0707
Endocrinology 14
Master's
Doctorate (R)
 26.0904
Entomology 13
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
 26.0702
Plant Genetics 12
Master's
Doctorate (R)
 26.0805
Pathology and Experimental Pathology 12
Master's
Doctorate (R)
 26.0910
Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology 11
Master's
Doctorate (R)
 26.0908
Plant Pathology 10
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
 26.0305
Genetics and Medical Genetics 8
Master's
 26.0806
Pharmacology 7
Master's
Doctorate (R)
 26.1001
General Physiology 3
Doctorate (R)
 26.0901
Oncology and Cancer Biology 3
Doctorate (R)
 26.0911
Environmental Toxicology 3
Master's
Doctorate (R)
 26.1006
Epidemiology 3
Master's
Doctorate (R)
 26.1309
Health (27 programs, 1,487 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
International Public Health 255
Postbac Cert.
Other Award
 51.2210
Registered Nursing 211
Bachelor's
Doctorate (R)
 51.3801
Medicine 173
Doctorate (P)
 51.1201
Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology 121
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
 51.0204
Health Professions Education and Humanities 98
Other Award
 51.3299
Pharmacy 94
Doctorate (P)
 51.2001
Pharmaceutics and Drug Design 74
Master's
Doctorate (R)
 51.2003
Public Health 64
Master's
 51.2201
Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling 60
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
 51.2310
Physician Assistant 56
Master's
 51.0912
Pharmaceutical Sciences 43
Bachelor's
 51.2010
Physical Therapy 38
Doctorate (P)
 51.2308
Nursing Practice 36
Doctorate (P)
 51.3818
Health Physics 32
Master's
Doctorate (R)
 51.2205
Clinical Nutrition 32
Master's
 51.3102
Occupational Therapy 30
Doctorate (P)
 51.2306
Athletic Training 13
Master's
 51.0913
Audiology 11
Doctorate (P)
 51.0202
Community Health and Preventive Medicine 9
Master's
Doctorate (R)
 51.2208
Medical Informatics 8
Postbac Cert.
Master's
 51.2706
Cytotechnology 6
Other Award
 51.1002
Pharmacoeconomics 6
Master's
Doctorate (R)
 51.2007
Medical Science 5
Master's
Doctorate (R)
 51.1401
Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences 4
Master's
 51.2099
Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing 4
Postbac Cert.
 51.3810
Dance Therapy 3
Other Award
 51.2302
Clinical Laboratory Science and Medical Technology 1
Postbac Cert.
 51.1005
Computer & IT (2 programs, 1,332 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Computer and Information Sciences 1,252
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
Other Award
 11.0101
Information Science 80
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
 11.0401
Interdisciplinary (11 programs, 1,053 graduates)
Cross-Disciplinary Studies and Integrated Research Programs
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Data Science 632
Bachelor's
Master's
Other Award
 30.7001
Sustainability Studies 174
Bachelor's
Other Award
 30.3301
Global Studies 105
Bachelor's
 30.2001
Nutrition Sciences 61
Bachelor's
Doctorate (R)
 30.1901
Classical and Ancient Studies 26
Other Award
 30.2202
Intercultural and Diversity Studies 23
Other Award
 30.2301
Science, Technology, and Society 14
Postbac Cert.
Other Award
 30.1501
Medieval and Renaissance Studies 7
Other Award
 30.1301
Geography and Environmental Studies 6
Other Award
 30.4401
Multi- and Interdisciplinary Studies 4
Doctorate (R)
 30.9999
Data Analytics 1
Other Award
 30.7199
Communication (7 programs, 822 graduates)
Media Communications, Journalism and Public Relations
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Speech Communication and Rhetoric 268
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
 09.0101
Digital Media and Multimedia 207
Other Award
 09.0702
Journalism 203
Bachelor's
Master's
 09.0401
Sports Communication 102
Other Award
 09.0906
Communication and Media Studies 24
Other Award
 09.0199
Mass Communication and Media Studies 13
Doctorate (R)
 09.0102
Technical and Scientific Communication 5
Other Award
 09.0908
Psychology (5 programs, 705 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
General Psychology 548
Bachelor's
 42.0101
Educational Psychology 63
Master's
Doctorate (R)
 42.2806
School Psychology 48
Master's
Doctorate (R)
 42.2805
Experimental Psychology 29
Master's
Doctorate (R)
 42.2799
Counseling Psychology 17
Master's
Doctorate (R)
 42.2803
Cultural Studies (18 programs, 676 graduates)
Cultural Anthropology, Ethnic Studies and Social Group Research
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Women's Studies 184
Bachelor's
Master's
Other Award
 05.0207
Disability Studies 176
Other Award
 05.0210
Hispanic and Latino Studies 60
Bachelor's
Other Award
 05.0203
Asian American Studies 58
Other Award
 05.0206
European Studies and Civilization 30
Other Award
 05.0106
South Asian Studies 21
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
Other Award
 05.0112
African Studies 20
Other Award
 05.0101
American Indian and Native American Studies 18
Other Award
 05.0202
Folklore Studies 18
Other Award
 05.0209
African American Studies 15
Bachelor's
Other Award
 05.0201
East Asian Studies 14
Other Award
 05.0104
LGBTQ Studies 13
Other Award
 05.0208
Near and Middle Eastern Studies 12
Other Award
 05.0108
Scandinavian Studies 12
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
Other Award
 05.0111
Russian and East European Studies 8
Other Award
 05.0105
Southeast Asian Studies 8
Master's
Other Award
 05.0113
Latin American and Caribbean Studies 8
Bachelor's
Master's
 05.0134
Slavic Studies 1
Other Award
 05.0118

Admission Requirements & Test Scores

Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Application Requirements

Secondary School GPA
Required
Secondary School Record
Required
College Preparatory Program
Required
Recommendations
Required
Formal Demonstration of Competencies
Neither required nor recommended
English Proficiency Test (TOEFL)
Required
Personal Statement or Essay
Required
Standardized Test Scores
SAT Scores
The SAT is a standardized college admission test measuring reading, writing, and math skills. Scores range from 400-1600 (combined Evidence-Based Reading & Writing + Math sections).
Composite Score Range
1360 - 1510
25th-75th percentile
Evidence-Based Reading & Writing 660 - 730
Median: 700
Math 700 - 780
Median: 750
ACT Scores
The ACT is a standardized test for college admissions assessing English, math, reading, and science reasoning. Scores range from 1-36 (composite of all sections).
Composite Score Range
28 - 32
25th-75th percentile
English 27 - 34
Median: 31
Math 26 - 32
Median: 29

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.

Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs

Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students

Estimated Total Cost
(In-state)
$28,905
Estimated Total Cost
(Out-state)
$58,303
In-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$11,205
Tuition and fees for students residing in-state
Out-of-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$40,603
Tuition and fees for non-resident students
Room & Board
$13,500
Housing and meal plan expenses
Books & Supplies
$1,100
Average yearly cost of books and study materials
Other Expenses
$3,100
Miscellaneous personal and institutional expenses
Other Expenses (with family)
$3,800
Estimated cost for students living with family
Graduate In-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$12,289
Graduate tuition rates for in-state students
Graduate Out-of-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$25,615
Graduate tuition rates for non-resident students

Financial Aid & Student Support

Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students

24%
FTFT Aid Recipients
Avg. Grant
$11,350
Avg. Loan
$9,061
Avg. Federal Loan
$5,182
Additional
Students with Any Grant
4,193
Students who received any type of grant aid
Students with Any Loan
2,199
Students who received any type of loan-based aid
Students with Federal Grant
1,439
Students who received a federal grant
Avg. Institutional Grant
$12,811
Average amount of institutional grant awarded
Show more financial aid data

Student Success Metrics

Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.

89%
Graduation Rate
Percentage of students who successfully graduate from the institution
95%
First-Year Retention Rate
Percentage of first-year students who continue for a second year
Median Earnings Over Time
$52,171 – $108,161
Salary Range (25th–75th Percentile, 10 Years)
$52,171 (25th %) $108,161 (75th %)
*Median Salary After 10 Years: $73,792
Median Salary After 6 Years
$61,275
Average annual earnings of former students six years after starting college.
Median Salary After 10 Years
$73,792
Average annual earnings of former students ten years after starting college.

Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes

Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.

3-Year Loan Repayment Rate
83.9%
Share of borrowers who repaid loans within 3 years
Repayment Rate (Graduates Only)
87.8%
Repayment rate among students who completed their program
Median Student Loan Debt
$20,484
Median federal loan debt of undergraduate completers at time of graduation.
Repayment by Income
Low 74.4%
Middle 83.6%
High 86.3%
Repayment by Dependency
Dependent 85.2%
Independent 70.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions about University of Wisconsin-Madison

How much does it cost to attend University of Wisconsin-Madison?

The annual tuition at University of Wisconsin-Madison is $11,205 for in-state students and $40,603 for out-of-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $28,905 for in-state students and $58,303 for out-of-state students. Additional costs include room and board $13,500 and books and supplies $1,100.

Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.

What academic programs and degree levels does University of Wisconsin-Madison offer?

University of Wisconsin-Madison offers 245 academic programs across 28 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Certificate (1-2 yrs), Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Master's, Post-Master's, Doctorate (Research), Doctorate (Professional), Other Award.

Most popular program areas include:

  • Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (18 programs)
  • Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies (12 programs)
  • Engineering Sciences and Applied Technology Solutions (19 programs)
  • Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research (26 programs)
  • Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (27 programs)

Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.

What is the acceptance rate for University of Wisconsin-Madison?

University of Wisconsin-Madison has an 43.3% acceptance rate and a 28.9% yield rate, making it highly selective.

Admission statistics breakdown:

  • Total applicants: 63,505
  • Students admitted: 27,529
  • Students enrolled: 7,964

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.

What financial aid and scholarships are available at University of Wisconsin-Madison?

University of Wisconsin-Madison provides financial aid to 24% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $11,350 and average loans of $9,061.

Average financial aid amounts by type:

  • Pell grants: $5,295
  • State/Local grants: $2,698
  • Institutional grants: $12,811
  • Federal loans: $5,182

The university supports 4,193 students with grants and 2,199 students with loans annually.

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.

What is the average salary for University of Wisconsin-Madison graduates?

University of Wisconsin-Madison graduates earn a median salary of $61,275 after 6 years and $73,792 after 10 years.

The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $52,171 (25th percentile) to $108,161 (75th percentile).

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.

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