W
#15 Best Public Universities in America

Wisconsin Admission Requirements

Madison, Wisconsin

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Chances of getting into University of Wisconsin Madison

Acceptance Rate

Admitted 
60%
Admission Difficulty for University of Wisconsin Madison
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Exceptional 
Applicant Competition Low 
How hard is it to get into Wisconsin and can I get accepted?

The acceptance rate at Wisconsin is 60%.  It ranks #2 in Wisconsin for lowest rate of acceptance. Wisconsin is a moderately competitive school to get into with a strong chance of acceptance if you meet the requirements. Last year, 32,459 out of 53,781 applicants were admitted.

The school has extremely high admission requirements, generally admitting students who can score in the top 14 percent on standardized admission tests. University of Wisconsin Madison typically accepts and 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. 26% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

The Wisconsin application fee is $60 and applications are due by Dec 15.

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to University of Wisconsin Madison you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.88 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Score 1410 on the SAT
  • Score 29 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class
  • Submit letters of recommendation from your teachers

Test Optional

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to University of Wisconsin Madison. If you submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 15% of students submitted SAT scores and 55% submitted ACT scores for admission for the 2021/2022 academic year..

Wisconsin SAT Scores

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 
1320-1500
Applicants Submitting SAT 
15%
SAT Scores for University of Wisconsin Madison
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
SAT Reading 25th 640
SAT Math 25th 680
SAT Composite 25th 1320
SAT Scores for University of Wisconsin Madison
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
SAT Reading 75th 720
SAT Math 75th 780
SAT Composite 75th 1500
Average SAT Score 1410

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for students to be admitted to University of Wisconsin Madison?

University of Wisconsin Madison is a test optional school meaning applicants are not required to submit SAT scores with their application. The position on SAT scores from the school is "considered but not required".

Students who get into University of Wisconsin Madison score in the top 10 percent of all SAT test takers.. The SAT composite score range for the middle 50% of students is 1320-1500.

Find other colleges with similar SAT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Estimated Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

University of Wisconsin Madison admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1500 and Above Good >74%
1410 to 1500 Avg + 60%-74%
1320 to 1410 Avg - 44%-60%
1230 to 1320 Reach 29%-44%
Less than 1230 Low <29%
Calculate My Chances 
Connect with Wisconsin

Engage with counselors on a personal level to demonstrate your interest in their school and get answers to all of your admissions-related questions.

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Wisconsin ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 
26-32 
Applicants Submitting ACT 
55%
ACT Scores for University of Wisconsin Madison
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
ACT Reading 25th 24
ACT Math 25th 25
ACT Composite 25th 26
ACT Scores for University of Wisconsin Madison
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
ACT Reading 75th 33
ACT Math 75th 31
ACT Composite 75th 32
Average ACT Score 29

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for prospective students to get into Wisconsin?

University of Wisconsin Madison is test optional. Students are not required to submit ACT scores with their application. The policy on ACT scores is "considered but not required".

Wisconsin regularly accepts students who score 26 and above on the ACT. These students typically score in the top 18 percent nationally. The ACT composite score range for the middle 50% of students is 26-32.

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Estimated Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

University of Wisconsin Madison admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
32 and Above Good >74%
29 to 32 Avg + 60%-74%
26 to 29 Avg - 44%-60%
23 to 26 Reach 29%-44%
Less than 23 Low <29%
Calculate My Chances 

Wisconsin GPA

Estimated GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 
3.88
Typical High School Grades 
A-

What GPA do you need to get into University of Wisconsin Madison?

Applicants require exceptionally good grades to get into Wisconsin. The average high school GPA of the admitted freshman class at University of Wisconsin Madison was 3.88 on the 4.0 scale indicating that primarily A- students are accepted and ultimately attend. The school ranks #1 in Wisconsin for highest average GPA. If your high school GPA meets these requirements, there is a good chance you will be accepted as Wisconsin accepts 60% of students who apply.

 What do these ratings mean?

Explore more colleges with similar GPA requirements

High School GPA's for admitted University of Wisconsin Madison students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 45.0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 36.0% Avg -
3.50 to 3.74 14.0% Reach
3.25 to 3.49 4.0% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 1.0% Low
2.50 to 2.99 0% Low
2.00 to 2.49 0% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

High School Class Rank

86% of University of Wisconsin Madison freshman were in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class.

High School Class Rank for admitted University of Wisconsin Madison students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 49%
Top 25% of class 86%
Top 50% of class 99%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

University of Wisconsin Madison admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 27,690 26,091 53,781
Accepted 17,769 14,690 32,459
Acceptance Rate 64% 56% 60%
Enrolled 4,678 3,787 8,465
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 26% 26% 26%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Fall 2023 Application Deadline

Applications were Due
Dec 15, 2022
Days left to Apply
None

The application deadline for Fall 2023 has passed. Applications were due on Dec 15, 2022.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to University of Wisconsin Madison is $60.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to University of Wisconsin Madison and what student information is used for admission decisions?

University of Wisconsin Madison Application Requirements
Test Scores Considered but not required
High School GPA Required
High School Class Rank Recommended
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required
Recommendations Required
Demonstration of Competencies Neither required nor recommended

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at University of Wisconsin Madison
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No
Other Colleges to Consider 

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=240444 IPEDS survey data for University of Wisconsin Madison.

FAQs

Does University of Wisconsin Madison prefer SAT or ACT?

15% of students submit their SAT scores to Wisconsin. 55% of applicants send their ACT scores when applying.

What is my chance of getting into University of Wisconsin Madison?

60% of those who apply are granted admission to Wisconsin. Admission competition is low and the college has exceptional admission standards. See if your grades and scores are good enough for admission.

What SAT score is required for University of Wisconsin Madison?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have SAT scores between 1320 and 1500. 15% of students submit SAT scores when applying. See if your SAT score is good enough for admission.

What ACT score is required for University of Wisconsin Madison?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have ACT scores between 26 and 32. 55% of students submit ACT scores when applying. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.