Overview
Enrollment
Best Colleges Rank
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
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Wisconsin is rated within the top 21% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 8 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for University of Wisconsin Madison within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#110 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#17 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#1 in Best Colleges in Wisconsin
#1 in Best Public Colleges in Wisconsin
#133 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#2 in Best Value Colleges in Wisconsin
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1360/1510 |
| ACT | 28/32 |
| GPA | 3.88 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Jan 15, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Average |
| Application Fee | $70 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Wisconsin Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,100 |
| Other Fees | $1,561 |
| Room and Board | $13,500 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $3,100 |
| Total One Year Cost | $28,905 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,100 |
| Other Fees | $1,561 |
| Room and Board | $13,500 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $3,100 |
| Total One Year Cost | $58,303 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Social Sciences | 15% |
| Biology | 12% |
| Business | 10% |
| Engineering | 8% |
| Communication | 6% |
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Students considering Wisconsin are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Questions and Answers
CollegeSimply Advisor posts about University of Wisconsin Madison.
- GPA more important than test scores at University of Wisconsin?
- Does my ACT score fit for Big 10 schools?
- Impact of SAT essay on Big 10 applications
- Is a 21 ACT score good?
- Is a 28 ACT score good?
- How competitive is UW-Madison for in-state students?
- Impact of Class Rank on Big 10 College Admissions
- How important is a study abroad program when picking a college?
- Best Big 10 schools for study abroad opportunities?
- Pros and cons of Wisconsin?s study abroad program?
- How competitive is a 1360 SAT score?
- UW-Madison or University of Minnesota for agriculture studies?
- University of Wisconsin vs. UT Austin for undergraduate research?
- University of Wisconsin-Madison Econ Program
- Is a 1230 SAT Score Good Enough?
- Most Competitive Colleges in Wisconsin?
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=240444 IPEDS survey data for University of Wisconsin Madison.
Current students may use the University of Wisconsin Madison GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025