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University of Wisconsin-Madison

Madison, Wisconsin 53706-1380

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Large campusUrban

Strong graduate outcomes — known for business

University of Wisconsin-Madison is a public institution in Madison with particular strength in business and biology. With an average SAT of 1402, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A large campus of 35.7K undergraduates with a 18:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

89% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $73,792 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $16,928.

Established
1848
Motto
Numen Lumen
Mascot
Bucky Badger
Type
Public land-grant research university
Division
Division I

Campus Visits

67 upcoming visits · Next: Fri, May 29 · Campus Tour

Plan Your Visit

43%Acceptance
1402SAT Avg
35,665Students
18:1Student:Faculty
89%Grad Rate
$73,792Earnings 10yr
$16,928Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate43.4%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1402

Reading & WritingMid: 680
660730
MathMid: 730
700780

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 29
2832

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$11,205
Tuition (out-of-state)$40,603
Room & Board$13,500
Books & Supplies$1,100
Total Cost of Attendance$27,770
Average Net Price$16,928
Median Debt at Graduation$20,484
Monthly Payment (10yr)$217

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$4,458
$30–48K$5,268
$48–75K$9,613
$75–110K$21,123
$110K+$26,427

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

78.0%

Median Debt at Grad

$18,058

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

271

Peer Average

240

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

24/7 campus police department, blue-light phone network, emergency mass notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

70

Burglary

14

Aggravated Assault

9

Robbery

23

Motor Vehicle Theft

29

Sex Offenses

2

Arson

71

Drug Arrests

53

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (381)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

95%

Positive

Student Body

Undergrads
35,665
Gender Split
53% / 47%
Women / Men
First Generation
17%
Pell Grant Recipients
15%

Race & Ethnicity

White 60%
Black 3%
Hispanic 8%
Asian 11%
Two+ 5%
Int'l 10%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate89.3%
Freshman Retention94.5%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$61,275
10 Years$73,792

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#39
vs 2024
Forbes
#39
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#11
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports — AreaRED

Hockey programRowing collegesBasketball gameBasketballIce hockeyCross countryLightweight crew

History & Fun Facts

  • On July 26, 1848, Nelson Dewey, Wisconsin's first governor, signed the act that formally created the University of Wisconsin.
  • Lathrop became the university's first chancellor, in the fall of 1849.
  • Sterling as the university's first professor (mathematics), the first class of 17 students met at Madison Female Academy on February 5, 1849.
  • " This building, University Hall, now known as Bascom Hall, was finally completed in 1859.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

107Above Average

Estimated from WI state average + large city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 60"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Milwaukeepop. 570K
76 mi(132 min)
Chicagopop. 2.7M
123 mi(213 min)
Minneapolispop. 430K
232 mi(402 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

MKE Milwaukee77 mi
ORD Chicago O'Hare108 mi
MSP Minneapolis-St Paul227 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA931 mi · ~26h 54m drive
New York, NY807 mi · ~23h 19m drive
Hartford, CT857 mi · ~24h 45m drive
Providence, RI920 mi · ~26h 35m drive
Albany, NY792 mi · ~22h 53m drive
Syracuse, NY669 mi · ~19h 20m drive
Rochester, NY594 mi · ~17h 10m drive
Buffalo, NY532 mi · ~15h 22m drive
Philadelphia, PA767 mi · ~22h 9m drive
Pittsburgh, PA518 mi · ~14h 58m drive
Harrisburg, PA674 mi · ~19h 28m drive
Newark, NJ799 mi · ~23h 5m drive
Washington, DC705 mi · ~20h 22m drive
Baltimore, MD714 mi · ~20h 38m drive
Atlanta, GA699 mi · ~20h 12m drive
Charlotte, NC709 mi · ~20h 29m drive
Raleigh, NC763 mi · ~22h 3m drive
Miami, FL1304 mi · ~37h 40m drive
Orlando, FL1099 mi · ~31h 45m drive
Tampa, FL1115 mi · ~32h 13m drive
Nashville, TN498 mi · ~14h 23m drive
New Orleans, LA908 mi · ~26h 14m drive
Richmond, VA736 mi · ~21h 16m drive
Chicago, IL123 mi · ~3h 33m drive
Detroit, MI327 mi · ~9h 27m drive
Minneapolis, MN232 mi · ~6h 42m drive
St. Louis, MO310 mi · ~8h 57m drive
Kansas City, MO385 mi · ~11h 7m drive
Indianapolis, IN284 mi · ~8h 12m drive
Columbus, OH395 mi · ~11h 25m drive
Cleveland, OH409 mi · ~11h 49m drive
Milwaukee, WI76 mi · ~2h 12m drive
Dallas, TX817 mi · ~23h 36m drive
Houston, TX977 mi · ~28h 13m drive
Austin, TX997 mi · ~28h 48m drive
San Antonio, TX1069 mi · ~30h 53m drive
Los Angeles, CA1668 mi · ~48h 11m drive
San Francisco, CA1763 mi · ~50h 56m drive
San Diego, CA1664 mi · ~48h 4m drive
Seattle, WA1617 mi · ~46h 43m drive
Portland, OR1642 mi · ~47h 26m drive
Denver, CO839 mi · ~24h 14m drive
Phoenix, AZ1392 mi · ~40h 13m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1164 mi · ~33h 38m drive
Honolulu, HI4154 mi · ~120h drive
Upper Midwest / Northeast (cold winters, warm summers)

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