In the news
· Proposed
Universities of Wisconsin propose a two-year tuition freeze starting fall 2027, if the state pays for itThe Universities of Wisconsin proposed a four-year tuition pledge that freezes tuition for 2027-29 and caps the next two years' increases at inflation, if the state funds it.
For the class of 2028 and earlier.
Getting in
For Fall 2025, 73,912 first-year students applied to UW-Madison, 30,167 were admitted and 8,495 enrolled: an acceptance rate of 40.8%.
Source: UW-Madison Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C1. Read Oct 1, 2026.
By residency, first-year applicants, Fall 2025
| Applicants | Applied | Admitted | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-state | 10,058 | 5,672 | 56.4% |
| Out-of-state | 49,463 | 19,948 | 40.3% |
| International | 14,391 | 4,547 | 31.6% |
Source: UW-Madison Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C1, residency table. Read Oct 1, 2026.
By school or major. UW-Madison's Common Data Set reports one first-year acceptance rate for the whole university, with no rate by school, college or major.
Source: UW-Madison Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Early action. UW-Madison has no early decision plan. Its early action plan is not binding and not restrictive, and the Common Data Set does not report how many applied or were admitted in it, so it gives no early acceptance rate.
Source: UW-Madison Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), sections C21 and C22. Read Oct 1, 2026.
Programs with extra requirements
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
You apply to the university as a whole and name a first and a second choice major. Some programs admit students directly:
- Wisconsin School of Business. List a business major as your first choice. Your admission letter says whether you were admitted directly to the School of Business; if not, you are admitted as pre-business in Letters & Science and can apply to the BBA program later.
- College of Engineering. List an engineering major as your first choice and a major outside engineering as your second. Math and science courses get special attention, and a letter from a math or science teacher is encouraged.
- Dance. A separate application to the Dance Department and a passed audition. Pass before decisions are released and you are admitted to the major; otherwise you start as undeclared in the School of Education.
- School of Music. A separate application to the School of Music and a passed audition. Pass before decisions are released and you are admitted as a music major; otherwise you start as undeclared in Letters & Science.
UW-Madison encourages dance and music applicants to apply in early action.
Source: UW-Madison Admissions, Direct Entry Programs (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Majors
222 majors across 8 schools. Every bachelor's degree major in UW-Madison's official Guide (the undergraduate catalog), grouped by the school or college that offers it, with the degree it leads to. Certificates, the Environmental Studies additional major and graduate programs are left out.
College of Agricultural and Life Sciences28
- Agricultural and Applied Economics (BS)
- Agricultural Business Management (BS)
- Agroecology (BS)
- Agronomy (BS)
- Animal and Veterinary Biosciences (BS)
- Animal Sciences (BS)
- Biochemistry (BS (CALS))
- Biological Systems Engineering (BS)
- Biology (BS (CALS))
- Community and Environmental Sociology (BS)
- Dairy and Food Animal Management (BS)
- Dairy Science (BS)
- Entomology (BS)
- Environmental Sciences (BS (CALS))
- Food Science (BS)
- Forest Science (BS)
- Genetics and Genomics (BS)
- Global Health (BS)
- Horticulture (BS)
- Individual Major (BS)
- Life Sciences Communication (BS)
- Microbiology (BS (CALS))
- Nutritional Sciences (BS)
- Nutritional Sciences (BS Nutrition and Dietetics)
- Plant Pathology (BS)
- Plant Science and Technology (BS)
- Soil Science (BS)
- Wildlife Ecology (BS)
Source: UW-Madison Guide 2026-2027, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
College of Engineering15
- Aerospace Engineering (BS)
- Biomedical Engineering (BS)
- Chemical Engineering (BS)
- Civil Engineering (BS)
- Computer Engineering (BS)
- Electrical Engineering (BS)
- Engineering Mechanics (BS)
- Engineering Physics (BS)
- Environmental Engineering (BS)
- Geological Engineering (BS)
- Industrial Engineering (BS)
- Materials Science and Engineering (BS)
- Mechanical Engineering (BS)
- Naval Science (BNS)
- Nuclear Engineering (BS)
Source: UW-Madison Guide 2026-2027, College of Engineering (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
College of Letters & Science132
- African American Studies (BA)
- African American Studies (BS)
- African Cultural Studies (BA)
- African Cultural Studies (BS)
- Anthropology (BA)
- Anthropology (BS)
- Applied Mathematics, Engineering, and Physics (BS AMEP)
- Applied Social Science (BLS)
- Art History (BA)
- Art History (BS)
- Asian Languages and Cultures (BA)
- Asian Languages and Cultures (BS)
- Astronomy-Physics (BA)
- Astronomy-Physics (BS)
- Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (BA)
- Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (BS)
- Biochemistry (BA (L&S))
- Biochemistry (BS (L&S))
- Biology (BA (L&S))
- Biology (BS (L&S))
- Botany (BA)
- Botany (BS)
- Cartography and Geographic Information Systems (BA)
- Cartography and Geographic Information Systems (BS)
- Chemistry (BA)
- Chemistry (BS)
- Chicanx/e and Latinx/e Studies (BA)
- Chicanx/e and Latinx/e Studies (BS)
- Chinese (BA)
- Chinese (BS)
- Classical Humanities (BA)
- Classical Humanities (BS)
- Classics (BA)
- Classics (BS)
- Communication Arts (BA)
- Communication Arts (BS)
- Communication Sciences and Disorders (BA)
- Communication Sciences and Disorders (BS)
- Computer Sciences (BA)
- Computer Sciences (BS)
- Conservation Biology (BA)
- Conservation Biology (BS)
- Data Science (BA)
- Data Science (BS)
- Economics (BA)
- Economics (BS)
- English (BA)
- English (BS)
- Environmental Sciences (BA (L&S))
- Environmental Sciences (BS (L&S))
- French (BA)
- French (BS)
- Gender and Women's Studies (BA)
- Gender and Women's Studies (BS)
- Geography (BA)
- Geography (BS)
- Geology and Geophysics (BA)
- Geology and Geophysics (BS)
- German (BA)
- German (BS)
- History (BA)
- History (BS)
- Individual Major (BA)
- Individual Major (BS)
- Information Science (BA)
- Information Science (BS)
- International Studies (BA)
- International Studies (BS)
- Italian (BA)
- Italian (BS)
- Japanese (BA)
- Japanese (BS)
- Jewish Studies (BA)
- Jewish Studies (BS)
- Journalism (JBA)
- Journalism (JBS)
- Korean Language and Culture (BA)
- Korean Language and Culture (BS)
- Landscape and Urban Studies (BA)
- Landscape and Urban Studies (BS)
- Landscape Architecture (BLA)
- Latin American, Caribbean, and Iberian Studies (BA)
- Latin American, Caribbean, and Iberian Studies (BS)
- Latin (BA)
- Latin (BS)
- Legal Studies (BA)
- Legal Studies (BS)
- Linguistics (BA)
- Linguistics (BS)
- Mathematics (BA)
- Mathematics (BS)
- Microbiology (BA (L&S))
- Microbiology (BS (L&S))
- Molecular and Cell Biology (BA)
- Molecular and Cell Biology (BS)
- Music (BA)
- Music (BS)
- Music: Education (BM)
- Music: Performance (BM)
- Neurobiology (BA)
- Neurobiology (BS)
- Philosophy (BA)
- Philosophy (BS)
- Physics (BA)
- Physics (BS)
- Polish (BA)
- Polish (BS)
- Political Science (BA)
- Political Science (BS)
- Portuguese (BA)
- Portuguese (BS)
- Psychology (BA)
- Psychology (BS)
- Public Policy (BA)
- Public Policy (BS)
- Religious Studies (BA)
- Religious Studies (BS)
- Russian (BA)
- Russian (BS)
- Scandinavian Studies (BA)
- Scandinavian Studies (BS)
- Social Welfare (BA)
- Social Welfare (BS)
- Social Work (BSW)
- Sociology (BA)
- Sociology (BS)
- Spanish (BA)
- Spanish (BS)
- Statistics (BA)
- Statistics (BS)
- Zoology (BA)
- Zoology (BS)
Source: UW-Madison Guide 2026-2027, College of Letters & Science (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
School of Business17
- Business Administration: Human Resources (BBA)
- Business Administration: Management (BBA)
- Business Administration: Marketing (BBA)
- Business: Accounting (BBA)
- Business: Actuarial Science (BBA)
- Business: Entrepreneurship (BBA)
- Business: Finance, Investment, and Banking (BBA)
- Business: Human Resource Management (BBA)
- Business: Information Systems (BBA)
- Business: International Business (BBA)
- Business: Management and Human Resources (BBA)
- Business: Management (BBA)
- Business: Marketing (BBA)
- Business: Operations and Technology Management (BBA)
- Business: Real Estate and Urban Land Economics (BBA)
- Business: Risk Management and Insurance (BBA)
- Business: Supply Chain Management (BBA)
Source: UW-Madison Guide 2026-2027, School of Business (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
School of Education15
- Art Education (BS)
- Art (BFA)
- Art (BS)
- Dance (BFA)
- Dance (BS)
- Educational Policy Studies (BS)
- Elementary Education and Special Education (BSE)
- Elementary Education (BSE)
- Health Promotion and Health Equity (BS)
- Individual Major (BSE)
- Kinesiology (BS)
- Physical Education (BS)
- Rehabilitation Psychology (BS)
- Special Education (BSE)
- Theatre and Drama (BS)
Source: UW-Madison Guide 2026-2027, School of Education (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
School of Human Ecology10
- Community and Organizational Development (BS)
- Consumer Behavior and Marketplace Studies (BS)
- Consumer Finance and Financial Planning (BS)
- Consumer Marketplace Studies (BS)
- Design, Innovation, and Society (BS)
- Human Development and Family Studies (BS)
- Individual Major (BS)
- Interior Architecture (BS)
- Personal Finance (BS)
- Textiles and Fashion Design (BS)
Source: UW-Madison Guide 2026-2027, School of Human Ecology (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
School of Nursing3
- Nursing (BSN)
- Nursing (BSN (Accelerated Program))
- Nursing (BSN (Collaborative Program))
Source: UW-Madison Guide 2026-2027, School of Nursing (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
School of Pharmacy2
- Pharmaceutical Sciences (BS)
- Pharmacology and Toxicology (BS)
Source: UW-Madison Guide 2026-2027, School of Pharmacy (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Deadlines for Fall 2027
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
| Plan | Apply by | Decision | Binding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Action | November 1 | On or before January 31 | No |
| Regular Decision | January 15 | On or before March 31 | No |
Applications opened August 1. Your other materials are due November 9 for early action and January 22 for regular decision, by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time. Early action is not binding; you commit by May 1. Some early action applicants are deferred, with final decisions by the end of March. You apply with the Common App or the Universities of Wisconsin Application, and the fee is $80.
Source: UW-Madison Admissions, Deadlines and Decisions (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Testing
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
Sending ACT or SAT scores is optional for students applying for terms through spring 2028, and you will not be disadvantaged without them. You choose on the application whether to include scores, and that choice is final. UW-Madison considers only your top composite score and does not superscore.
Source: UW-Madison Admissions, Apply as a First-Year Student (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
The Common Data Set also marks the SAT or ACT as not required for fall 2027 applicants, but considered if submitted, with scores due by January 22, 2027.
Source: UW-Madison Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C8. Read Oct 1, 2026.
Applying next year?
For students applying in fall 2027, entering fall 2028
- Testing. The Board of Regents' waiver of the ACT or SAT requirement covers applicants through the spring 2028 term, whose deadline is October 1, 2027. UW-Madison has not yet said what applies to students entering in fall 2028.
Source: UW-Madison Admissions, What We Look for in Our Applicants (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
We found nothing else announced for fall 2028 entry. The deadlines and rules above are for fall 2027 entry.
Source: UW-Madison Admissions, What We Look for in Our Applicants (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Cost, and what families paid after aid
The published cost of a year at UW-Madison, 2026-2027:
| Item | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition and fees | $12,532 | $45,518 |
| Course materials and supplies | $700 | $700 |
| Housing and meals | $14,994 | $14,994 |
| Personal expenses | $2,618 | $2,618 |
| Transportation | $612 | $1,222 |
| Loan fees | $68 | $68 |
| Total | $31,524 | $65,120 |
For an undergraduate over the nine-month academic year. First-year students also pay a new student fee of about $330, and UW-Madison adds $1,100 to the first-year supplies budget for a computer. Engineering, nursing and business add tuition differentials. Minnesota residents have their own budget: $37,574.
Source: UW-Madison Office of Student Financial Aid, Cost of Attendance (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Average net price per year, by family income, 2023-24:
| Family income | Paid after grants |
|---|---|
| $0 to $30,000 | $4,200 |
| $30,001 to $48,000 | $4,101 |
| $48,001 to $75,000 | $8,134 |
| $75,001 to $110,000 | $17,763 |
| Over $110,000 | $27,292 |
| All incomes | $17,354 |
What first-year, full-time, in-state students who received federal aid paid after grants and scholarships, by family income, in 2023-24, the latest year the Department of Education publishes. Your own price comes from UW-Madison's aid offer.
Source: College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Similar schools
Chosen for how close each is to University of Wisconsin-Madison on acceptance rate, public or private, location and majors offered.
Purdue UniversityWest Lafayette, IN · Public43.4% admitted$14,600 average net price
University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignUrbana-Champaign, IL · Public36.6% admitted$14,355 average net price
The Ohio State UniversityColumbus, OH · Public49.2% admitted$17,339 average net price
University of South FloridaTampa, FL · Public40.7% admitted$9,812 average net price
University of WashingtonSeattle, WA · Public41.7% admitted$14,091 average net price
Admitted: each school's latest first-year acceptance rate, so the year can differ from school to school; each school's page names its year and source. Average net price: what federal aid recipients paid per year after grants, 2023-24, and the in-state figure for a public university.