University ofWisconsin--Madison
#36 inNational Universities (tie)
Overview
University of Wisconsin—Madison is a public institution that was founded in 1848. In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, University of Wisconsin—Madison is ranked No. #36 in National Universities. It's also ranked No. #12 in Top Public Schools.
It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 39,083 (fall 2024), its setting is city, and the campus size is 939 acres. The student-faculty ratio at University of Wisconsin—Madison is 18:1, and it utilizes a semester-based academic calendar.
University of Wisconsin—Madison accepts the Common Application and has a test-optional admissions policy. The school's in-state tuition and fees are $12,166; out-of-state tuition and fees are $44,191. Twenty-nine percent of first-year students receive need-based financial aid, and the average net price for federal loan recipients is $16,834.
The four-year graduation rate is 75%. Six years after graduation, the median salary for graduates is $61,275.
University of Wisconsin—Madison is a public institution that was founded in 1848. In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, University of Wisconsin—Madison is ranked No. #36 in National Universities. It's also ranked No. #12 in Top Public Schools.
It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 39,083 (fall 2024), its setting is city, and the campus size is 939 acres. The student-faculty ratio at University of Wisconsin—Madison is 18:1, and it utilizes a semester-based academic calendar.
University of Wisconsin—Madison accepts the Common Application and has a test-optional admissions policy. The school's in-state tuition and fees are $12,166; out-of-state tuition and fees are $44,191. Twenty-nine percent of first-year students receive need-based financial aid, and the average net price for federal loan recipients is $16,834.
The four-year graduation rate is 75%. Six years after graduation, the median salary for graduates is $61,275.
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At-a-Glance
Setting
City
In-state tuition and fees
$12,166
Undergraduate Enrollment
39,083
Acceptance Rate
45%
Degrees offered:
Bachelor’s Degree
2026 Rankings
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Admissions
Jan. 15
45%
SAT Range*
1350-1510
ACT Range*
29-33
High School GPA*
3.9
* These are the average scores of applications admitted to this school. Ranges represent admitted applicants who fell within the 25th and 75th percentile.
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Data provided by U.S. News College Compass Users.
Cost
Out-of-State Tuition & Fees
$44,191
In-State Tuition & Fees
$12,166
Food & Housing
$14,520(2025-26)
Average Need-Based Aid Package
$31,125
$16,834
$16,834
Out-of-State Tuition & Fees
$44,191
In-State Tuition & Fees
$12,166
Food & Housing
$14,520(2025-26)
Average Need-Based Aid Package
$31,125
*Average in-state cost after aid
Academics
75%
18:1
43%
Popular Majors
MAJOR
% OF GRADUATES
ALUMNI STARTING SALARY
Computer and Information Sciences, General
10%
$118,588
Economics, General
7%
$84,958
Psychology, General
5%
$61,607
Data Science, General
4%
$65,131
Finance, General
4%
$106,484
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* In cases where salary data at the specific major level is unavailable, a general salary for the major category is displayed.
Faculty Research Impact
Bibliometric Rank
51
Bibliometrics is the statistical analyses of publications and citations for the purpose of measuring faculty research impact.Publication share in the Top 25% of Journals by CiteScore
66%
Publication share in the Top 5% of Journals by CiteScore
22%
Field Weighted Citation Impact
1.73
Total Papers published between 2020-2024
48,138
Citations Per Publication
16
Metrics are extracted from SciVal based on Elsevier’s
data. Last updated 2025.
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Student Population
Graduate Enrollment | 13,014 |
|---|---|
Total Enrollment | 52,097 |
Full-Time Degree-Seeking Undergraduates | 35,192 |
Student Demographics
| Male | 46.9% | Female | 53.1% |
| Another gender | 0% | ||
| White | 59% | Asian | 11% |
|---|---|---|---|
| International | 10% | Hispanic | 9% |
| Two or more races | 5% | Unknown | 4% |
| Black | 2% | ||
| Not Specified is not included in this breakdown due to an enrollment of 0%. | |||
| Male | 46.9% |
| Female | 53.1% |
| Another gender | 0% |
| White | 59% |
|---|---|
| Asian | 11% |
| International | 10% |
| Hispanic | 9% |
| Two or more races | 5% |
| Unknown | 4% |
| Black | 2% |
| Not Specified is not included in this breakdown due to an enrollment of 0%. | |
Campus Life
Housing and Dorms
Types of campus housing available:
- coed dorms
- apartments for married students
- theme housing
- wellness housing
- other housing options
Student Activities
133+
Sports Teams
37
Fraternities
27
Sororities
After College
4-Year Graduation Rate
75%
Graduating Students Who Have Borrowed (any loan type, 2023)
33%
Average Debt at Graduation
$27,733
$61,275
$61,275
4-Year Graduation Rate
75%
Graduating Students Who Have Borrowed (any loan type, 2023)
33%
Average Debt at Graduation
$27,733
Read More
Undergraduate data are based on the 2024 school year.
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