Wisconsin Admission Requirements
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- 4 Year
- Madison, WI
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Wisconsin Admission Overview
Wisconsin admission requirements are competitive. Last year Wisconsin admitted 45.2% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.88 GPA (A) and SAT 1380-1520 / ACT 29-33. Wisconsin is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Wisconsin is test-optional for 2026-27. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.
Wisconsin Acceptance Rate
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance rate Share of applicants offered admission last year.
Admission Standards Measure of enrolled testers' SAT/ACT scores vs. other colleges.
Applicant Competition Measure of this school's acceptance rate vs. other colleges. A low acceptance rate indicates high competition.
Average
Admission difficulty for University of Wisconsin Madison
Acceptance Rate
The Wisconsin acceptance rate is 45.2%. Last year, 29,782 of 65,894 applicants were admitted. That is the lowest acceptance rate in Wisconsin.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into Wisconsin and can you get accepted?
Wisconsin is a competitive school to get into, turning away a substantial share of applicants. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.
University of Wisconsin Madison typically attracts "A" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.88. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 29% of those admitted chose to enroll.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Wisconsin GPA
GPA of enrolled freshmen
Avg. High School GPA The average high school GPA for incoming freshmen on a 4.0 scale.
3.88Typical High School Grades Letter grade on a 4.0 scale for last year's average, not a cutoff.
AAverage GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.88
Average GPA
Enrolled freshmen at Wisconsin typically have around a 3.88 GPA (A) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have exceptionally good grades. Wisconsin is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.
45% of enrolled freshmen had a 4.0. The school ranks #1 in Wisconsin for highest average GPA.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.9 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024
Wisconsin Test Policy
Test Submission Requirements
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is test-optional for first-year applicants through spring 2028, including students applying for spring 2027, fall 2027, and spring 2028. Fall 2028 and later testing rules are not yet set. Applicants who include scores must send official ACT or SAT results from the testing agency; self-reported scores are not accepted. Transfer admission does not consider ACT or SAT scores. Wisconsin homeschooled students seeking the Wisconsin Guarantee must submit official scores.
Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://admissions.wisc.edu/act_sat_faq/
Wisconsin SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers who sent SAT. The maximum score is 1600.
1380-1520Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores. This is enrolled testers, not all applicants.
15%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 670
- Math 710
- Composite 1380
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 740
- Math 780
- Composite 1520
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at Wisconsin typically score around a 1450 SAT (middle 50% 1380–1520) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 98th percentile nationally. Wisconsin ranks #1 in the state of Wisconsin and #72 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1380 to 1520
SAT policy
Wisconsin is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.
View other colleges which accept students in the 1450 SAT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Wisconsin ACT Scores
ACT scores among enrolled freshmen
ACT Range Mid-50 ACT composite among enrolled testers who sent ACT. The scale tops out at 36.
29-33Freshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT. Counts enrolled testers, not the full applicant pool.
29%25th Percentile Scores
- English 28
- Math 27
- Composite 29
75th Percentile Scores
- English 34
- Math 33
- Composite 33
Average ACT
Incoming testers at Wisconsin typically have around a 31 ACT (mid-50 29–33) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 95th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Wisconsin places #1 among colleges in Wisconsin and #121 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 29 to 33
ACT policy
You may apply to Wisconsin without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.
See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 31.0 ACT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
High School Class Rank
Class Rank of Admitted Students
86% of University of Wisconsin Madison freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 49% are in the top ten percent.
Data Source, Peterson's Data
Estimate How You Compare
See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.
Open the Wisconsin chances calculatorApplying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to University of Wisconsin Madison and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Fall 2027 Application Deadline
Applications Due
Jan 15, 2027Days left to Apply
137Applicants have 137 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jan 15, 2027.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to University of Wisconsin Madison is $70.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
Wisconsin is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 45.2% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.88 GPA (about an A average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1380-1520); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to University of Wisconsin Madison often consider these colleges
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=240444.
GPA calculator: University of Wisconsin Madison GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026