University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, Wisconsin
How selective is it?
University of Wisconsin-Madison is in our Selective tier (~30-50% acceptance). A solid academic fit matters, but admission isn't a reach for students in the typical range.
Recent third-party estimates ~43-45% (older figures higher).
Tiers are broad on purpose. Acceptance rates move every cycle, and many schools are more competitive for specific majors than the school overall, so use this as a starting point for your list, not a prediction.
How to use University of Wisconsin-Madison in your college list
This is often a realistic target if your grades and course rigor match the school's typical entering class, which you can confirm in its Common Data Set. Popular majors, such as computer science, engineering, or nursing, can be harder to get into than the school-wide tier suggests.
Building a list across tiers? See all 15 Wisconsin colleges in our finder, or follow our guide to building a list by score and GPA.
What it's known for
University of Wisconsin-Madison is widely recognized for strengths in the fields below. This reflects peer-assessment rankings and long-standing reputation, not a full list of programs.
Explore related majors: Business Administration, Accounting, Mechanical Engineering, Nursing, Finance, Electrical Engineering, Health Sciences, Marketing.
Check the current numbers yourself
For University of Wisconsin-Madison's current test-score and GPA ranges, acceptance rate, and cost, go to the source:
- Find its Common Data Set ↗ Section C has the middle 50% of scores and GPA. Our step-by-step guide shows how to read it.
- College Scorecard ↗ U.S. Department of Education data on cost, graduation, and outcomes.
- Net price calculator ↗ Estimate what your family would actually pay after aid.
- Find the official admissions page ↗ Deadlines, requirements, and how to apply.
Similar colleges to consider
Schools with a similar selectivity, in the same state, or known for the same fields. A balanced list usually mixes a few reaches, several realistic targets, and at least one or two safeties.
- University of MichiganAnn Arbor, MI · Highly Selective
- University of Texas at AustinAustin, TX · Highly Selective
- University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignChampaign, IL · Selective
- University of Maryland, College ParkCollege Park, MD · Selective
- University of WashingtonSeattle, WA · Selective
- University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PA · Most Selective
Frequently asked questions
How selective is University of Wisconsin-Madison?+
University of Wisconsin-Madison sits in our "Selective" tier (~30-50% acceptance). Recent third-party estimates ~43-45% (older figures higher).
Is University of Wisconsin-Madison hard to get into?+
A solid academic fit matters, but admission isn't a reach for students in the typical range. Selectivity varies by major and changes every admissions cycle, so treat the tier as a starting point and check University of Wisconsin-Madison's own admissions data for the current year.
What is University of Wisconsin-Madison known for?+
University of Wisconsin-Madison is widely recognized for strengths in Business, Accounting, Engineering, Nursing & Health. This reflects reputation and peer-assessment rankings, not a complete list of programs, so confirm that a specific major is offered and how competitive it is.
How do I find University of Wisconsin-Madison's current SAT, ACT, and GPA ranges?+
Search "University of Wisconsin-Madison Common Data Set" and open Section C, which lists the middle 50% of test scores and GPA for the entering class. Our guide "How to Build Your Own College List by Score and GPA" on this site walks through it step by step.
Where is University of Wisconsin-Madison?+
University of Wisconsin-Madison is a public institution in Madison, Wisconsin.
Selectivity tiers and "known for" tags are general guidance compiled from public sources and may be out of date. MajorAtlas isn't affiliated with University of Wisconsin-Madison. Always confirm details with the school.