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University of Wisconsin-Madison

University of Wisconsin-Madison is a public university in a large city in the Madison, WI metro with 36,797 students and a 45% acceptance rate.

Madison, Wisconsin · Public · City, large · 36,797 students · R1 research university

NCAA Division I · Big TenEarly action Nov 1

Admission rate

45%

of applicants admitted

SAT average

1,427

combined, admitted students

ACT, middle half

28–32

25th to 75th percentile

Average net price

$17,354

per year, after grants

Graduation rate

90%

within 6 years

Freshman retention

95%

return for sophomore year

Median earnings

$73,792

10 years after entry

Students

36,797

total enrollment

Source: U.S. Dept. of Education (College Scorecard and IPEDS) · data snapshot October 2, 2026 · Updated October 2, 2026

First-year deadlines, 2026–27

PlanDeadlineDecision by
Early action
Apply early, hear early, not binding.		November 1, 2026January 31, 2027
Regular decision
The standard deadline, with answers in spring. Not binding.		January 15, 2027March 31, 2027

Plans are listed in calendar order. What the plans mean

Source: admissions.wisc.edu · checked September 26, 2026

What families actually pay

Average yearly net price after grants, in-state students, by family income

$0–30,000$4,200
$30,001–48,000$4,101
$48,001–75,000$8,134
$75,001–110,000$17,763
Over $110,000$27,292

Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, College Scorecard · data snapshot October 2, 2026

AP credit

Most-taken exams, lowest score that earns credit
ExamMin scoreUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison courseCredits
Calculus BC3MATH X033 credits
Biology3BIO SCI X013 credits
Chemistry3CHEM X153 credits
English Language and Composition3ENGL X023 credits
English Literature and Composition3LIT X103 credits
United States History3GEN ELCT X123 credits
Psychology3PSYCH X193 credits
Statistics3STAT X103 credits
Show all 86 exams and every score level
ExamMin scoreCourseCredits
Calculus BC3MATH X033 credits
Calculus BC4MATH 221 and MATH 2229 credits
Biology3BIO SCI X013 credits
Biology4BIOLOGY/​BOTANY/​ZOOLOGY 1515 credits
Biology4ZOOLOGY/​BIOLOGY/​BOTANY 1515 credits
Chemistry3CHEM X153 credits
Chemistry4CHEM 1033 credits
Chemistry4CHEM 1034 credits
English Language and Composition3ENGL X023 credits
English Language and Composition4ENGL X043 credits
English Literature and Composition3LIT X103 credits
English Literature and Composition4ENGL X253 credits
United States History3GEN ELCT X123 credits
United States History4HISTORY X133 credits
Psychology3PSYCH X193 credits
Psychology4PSYCH 2023 credits
Psychology4PSYCH 2024 credits
Statistics3STAT X103 credits
Statistics4STAT 3013 credits
Computer Science A3COMP SCI 2003 credits
Macroeconomics3GEN ELCT X123 credits
Macroeconomics4ECON 1024 credits
Microeconomics3GEN ELCT X123 credits
Microeconomics4ECON 1014 credits
World History: Modern3GEN ELCT X123 credits
World History: Modern4HISTORY X133 credits
Environmental Science3BIO SCI X123 credits
European History3GEN ELCT X123 credits
European History4HISTORY X133 credits
Human Geography3GEOG X123 credits
Human Geography4GEOG 104 and GEOG/​ENVIR ST 1278 credits
Human Geography4GEOG X223 credits
Spanish Language and Culture3SPANISH 2044 credits
Spanish Language and Culture5SPANISH 2263 credits
United States Government and Politics3POLI SCI X203 credits
United States Government and Politics4POLI SCI 1044 credits
Computer Science Principles3GEN ELCT X123 credits
Computer Science Principles4COMP SCI/​L I S 1023 credits
Art History3HUM X113 credits
Art History4ART HIST X144 credits
Music Theory3MUSIC 1513 credits
Music Theory4MUSIC X143 credits
2-D Art and Design3GEN ELCT X123 credits
3-D Art and Design3GEN ELCT X123 credits
African American Studies3AFROAMER X273 credits
Business Management4GEN BUS X103 credits
Calculus AB and AB Subscore3MATH X033 credits
Calculus AB and AB Subscore4MATH 2215 credits
Chinese A: Language and Literature4ASIAN X196 credits
Chinese A: Literature4ASIAN X196 credits
Chinese B: Mandarin4ASIAN X166 credits
Chinese Language and Culture3ASIALANG X102 credits
Chinese Language and Culture4ASIALANG X104 credits
Comparative Government and Politics3POLI SCI X203 credits
Comparative Government and Politics4POLI SCI 1204 credits
Computer Science4COMP SCI 2003 credits
Dance5DANCE X103 credits
Design Technology4GEN ELCT X123 credits
Digital Society4L I S X113 credits
Drawing3GEN ELCT X123 credits
Economics4ECON 101 and ECON 1028 credits
English A: Language and Literature4ENGL X253 credits
English A: Language and Literature5ENGL X19 and ENGL X256 credits
English A: Literature4ENGL X253 credits
English A: Literature5ENGL X19 and ENGL X256 credits
English B4ENGL X026 credits
Film4GEN ELCT X123 credits
French A: Language and Literature4FRENCH X176 credits
French A: Literature4FRENCH X176 credits
French B4FRENCH X106 credits
French Language and Culture3FRENCH 2034 credits
French Language and Culture4FRENCH 2044 credits
French Language and Culture5FRENCH 2284 credits
German A: Language and Literature4GERMAN X176 credits
German A: Literature4GERMAN X176 credits
German B4GERMAN X106 credits
German Language and Culture3GERMAN X133 credits
German Language and Culture4GERMAN 2493 credits
Global Politics4POLI SCI 1204 credits
History4HISTORY X246 credits
Indonesian A: Literature4ASIAN X196 credits
Indonesian B4ASIAN X166 credits
Information Technology in a Global Society4COMP SCI X123 credits
Italian A: Language and Literature4ITALIAN X166 credits
Italian A: Literature4ITALIAN X166 credits
Italian B4ITALIAN X106 credits
Italian Language and Culture3ITALIAN 2044 credits
Italian Language and Culture5ITALIAN 4524 credits
Japanese A: Language and Literature4ASIAN X196 credits
Japanese A: Literature4ASIAN X196 credits
Japanese B4ASIAN X166 credits
Japanese Language and Culture3ASIALANG X102 credits
Japanese Language and Culture4ASIALANG X104 credits
Korean A: Language and Literature4ASIAN X196 credits
Korean A: Literature4ASIAN X196 credits
Korean B4ASIAN X166 credits
Latin3LATIN 103 and LATIN 1048 credits
Latin4LATIN X126 credits
Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches4MATH X033 credits
Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches5MATH 2215 credits
Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation4MATH X033 credits
Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation5MATH 2114 credits
Philosophy4PHILOS 1014 credits
Physics4PHYSICS 103 and PHYSICS 1048 credits
Physics 1: Algebra-Based3PHYSICS X153 credits
Physics 1: Algebra-Based4PHYSICS 1034 credits
Physics 2: Algebra-Based3PHYSICS X153 credits
Physics 2: Algebra-Based4PHYSICS 1044 credits
Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism3PHYSICS X153 credits
Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism4PHYSICS 2085 credits
Physics C: Mechanics3PHYSICS X153 credits
Physics C: Mechanics4PHYSICS 2075 credits
Portuguese A: Language and Literature4PORTUG X126 credits
Portuguese A: Literature4PORTUG X126 credits
Portuguese B4PORTUG X106 credits
Precalculus3MATH X053 credits
Precalculus4MATH 1145 credits
Research3GEN ELCT X103 credits
Seminar3GEN ELCT X123 credits
Social and Cultural Anthropology4ANTHRO 1043 credits
Spanish A: Language and Literature4SPANISH X176 credits
Spanish A: Literature4SPANISH X176 credits
Spanish B4SPANISH X106 credits
Spanish Literature and Culture3SPANISH 2044 credits
Spanish Literature and Culture4SPANISH 2243 credits
Theatre4THEATRE X113 credits
Visual Arts4GEN ELCT X123 credits

Source: guide.wisc.edu · checked September 19, 2026

Biggest majors

MajorGraduates
Computer and Information Sciences665
Economics431
Psychology424
Biology/Biological Sciences354
Finance306
Retailing and Retail Operations259
Mechanical Engineering250
Data Science246
Show the other 117 majors
Political Science and Government231
Neuroscience223
Speech Communication and Rhetoric208
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse206
Marketing/Marketing Management170
Financial Planning and Services164
Journalism154
Biochemistry150
Mathematics120
Exercise Science and Kinesiology118
Elementary Education and Teaching112
Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering112
Chemical Engineering111
Accounting108
Real Estate105
Human Development and Family Studies100
Industrial Engineering95
History92
Genetics92
Electrical and Electronics Engineering90
Legal Studies90
Sustainability Studies89
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, Other88
Civil Engineering86
Business Administration and Management82
Computer Engineering75
English Language and Literature72
Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist71
International/Globalization Studies69
Insurance64
Sociology63
Spanish Language and Literature63
Conservation Biology58
Environmental Science56
Chemistry54
Nutrition Sciences54
Art/Art Studies53
Microbiology53
Operations Management and Supervision51
Statistics51
Environmental Studies50
Social Work50
Agricultural Communication/Journalism45
Pharmaceutical Sciences43
Engineering Mechanics40
Materials Engineering39
Management Information Systems39
Actuarial Science37
Philosophy35
Zoology/Animal Biology34
Physics33
Molecular Biology32
Agricultural Engineering31
Interior Design28
Wildlife, Fish and Wildlands Science and Management28
Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling/Counselor28
Information Science/Studies26
Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education26
Animal Sciences25
Family and Community Services25
International Business/Trade/Commerce25
Geography23
Anthropology22
Linguistics20
Apparel and Textiles20
Astrophysics20
Landscape Architecture20
Women's Studies19
Agricultural Economics18
Special Education and Teaching17
Food Science16
Geology/Earth Science16
Pharmacology and Toxicology15
Agricultural Business and Management15
Art History, Criticism and Conservation13
Rural Sociology13
Geographic Information Science and Cartography13
Music12
Horticultural Science12
Art Teacher Education12
Dairy Science11
South Asian Studies11
French Language and Literature11
Botany/Plant Biology11
Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology10
Nuclear Engineering10
Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering10
Physical Education Teaching and Coaching10
Applied Mathematics9
Japanese Language and Literature8
Dance8
Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts8
Music Performance8
Music Teacher Education7
Chinese Language and Literature6
Entomology5
Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics5
Geological/Geophysical Engineering4
Polish Language and Literature4
Selling Skills and Sales Operations4
Latin American and Caribbean Studies3
Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics3
Engineering Physics/Applied Physics3
Russian Language and Literature3
Engineering, Other3
Jewish/Judaic Studies2
Religion/Religious Studies2
Plant Pathology/Phytopathology2
Portuguese Language and Literature2
Hispanic-American, Puerto Rican, and Mexican-American/Chicano Studies2
African-American/Black Studies2
Forest Sciences and Biology2
Soil Science and Agronomy2
Agronomy and Crop Science2
African Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics1
Scandinavian Studies1
Latin Language and Literature1

Bachelor’s graduates, first major, most recent year · Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, IPEDS · data snapshot October 2, 2026

Ranked programs

Where University of Wisconsin-Madison ranks in the top 25 on our top-programs lists, best rank first. How we rank programs

Show the other 16 ranked programs

Sports and campus life

Men’s varsity · NCAA Division I, Big Ten

Basketball, Football, Golf, Ice Hockey, Rowing, Soccer, Swimming and Diving (combined), Tennis, Track and Field and Cross Country (combined), Wrestling

Women’s varsity · NCAA Division I, Big Ten

Basketball, Golf, Ice Hockey, Rowing, Soccer, Softball, Swimming and Diving (combined), Tennis, Track and Field and Cross Country (combined), Volleyball

ROTC

Air Force, Army

Faith groups

Cru, Hillel, InterVarsity, Newman Connection, Ratio Christi

Also

Study abroad

Greek life

9% of men in fraternities · 8% of women in sororities · 8% of undergraduates overall (Common Data Set 2022–23)

Sources: U.S. Dept. of Education athletics data (EADA), Common Data Set (Greek life), valormovement.com · checked September 4, 2026 · data snapshot October 2, 2026

The place

Setting

City, large

Federal locale classification

Metro area

Madison, WI

707,606 people

Big-city metro (1 million+)

No

More about the place

Nearest airport

Dane County Regional/Truax Field (MSN)

Nearest hub airport

General Mitchell International (MKE)

Walkability

EPA walkability index 13.8 of 20

Elevation

957 ft

Time zone

Central

January low

11°F

July high

82°F

Annual snowfall

38.5 in

Days at 90°F or higher

10 per year

One-bedroom fair market rent

$1,530 per month

Sources: U.S. Dept. of Education (IPEDS locale), U.S. Census metro estimates, NOAA climate normals, HUD fair market rents, EPA walkability · data snapshot October 2, 2026

Colleges nearby

Straight-line distance between campuses

Similar colleges

Public, city campus, NCAA Division I, similar size