University of Wisconsin Madison
- 8/10 Overall Rating
- 4 Year
- Madison, WI
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5.0 2 reviews
Overview
Total enrollment
51,044Best Colleges Rank
#109- Size Large
- Status Non-profit
- Housing Yes
- Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate
The University of Wisconsin-Madison occupies a 936-acre campus along the southern shore of Lake Mendota in Madison, Wisconsin's capital city. Founded in 1848 when Wisconsin achieved statehood, UW-Madison serves as the state's flagship public research institution and features a blend of historic red brick buildings and modern research facilities. The campus, known for its lakeside setting and the iconic Bascom Hill, integrates with downtown Madison and includes extensive student housing options across multiple residential neighborhoods. As a highly selective public university, UW-Madison maintains strong academic programs in engineering, business, education, and the sciences, with particular recognition for its agricultural research programs and veterinary medicine school. The university competes in NCAA Division I athletics as the Wisconsin Badgers, with its football and men's basketball programs consistently ranking among the Big Ten Conference's top performers.
Ratings
Wisconsin is rated within the top 21% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 8 out of 10.
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Overall Rating8 out of 10
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Academics10 out of 10
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Resources7 out of 10
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Outcomes9 out of 10
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Value10 out of 10
Rankings
Rankings for University of Wisconsin Madison within the 2027 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
Admissions
Admission Standards
- SAT (enrolled mid-50) 1380/1520
- ACT (enrolled mid-50) 29/33
- GPA 3.88
Acceptance Rate
- Applications Due Jan 15, 2027
- Enrollment Rate 28.6%
- Application Fee $70
Applicant Competition Average
Annual Cost to Attend
Wisconsin Resident Tuition
$11,603Out of State Resident Tuition
$42,103Breakdown
- Tuition $11,603
- Books and Supplies $1,100
- Other Fees $1,597
- Room and Board $14,124
- Budget for Other Expenses $3,178
- Total One Year Cost $31,602
- Tuition $42,103
- Books and Supplies $1,100
- Other Fees $1,597
- Room and Board $14,124
- Budget for Other Expenses $3,178
- Total One Year Cost $62,102
Student Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
Popular majors at University of Wisconsin Madison are Social Sciences, Biology, and Business. 15% of students major in Social Sciences, 12% in Biology, and 10% in Business.
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Social Sciences 15%
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Biology 12%
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Business 10%
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Engineering 8%
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Communication 6%
More Colleges to Consider
Students considering University of Wisconsin Madison are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=240444.
GPA calculator: University of Wisconsin Madison GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026