The University of Wisconsin-Madison was founded in 1848. Guided by the Wisconsin Idea, which holds that education should have an impact beyond the classroom, it is recognized as one of the top public universities in the country. The university has many notable alumni and faculty, including winners of prestigious awards such as Nobel and Pulitzer Prizes.
It is an excellent choice for university education, and if you plan to study here, knowing how difficult it is to get into it can be helpful. University acceptance rates are good indicators of selectivity and can give prospective students an idea of their chances of a successful application. Read on to learn more about the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
University of Wisconsin-Madison Acceptance Rate
For Fall 2025, the university admitted 30,167 of 73,912 first-year applicants, making its first-year undergraduate acceptance rate about 40.8 percent. This was a record application pool for UW-Madison.
For graduate admissions, the latest Graduate School data page lists the Fall 2024 graduate admission rate as 29 percent and the enrollment yield rate as 39 percent. Since graduate selectivity varies by program and degree level, applicants should review the Graduate School’s program-level admissions data for their intended program rather than relying only on a single universitywide rate.
Preparing for the University of Wisconsin-Madison
Knowing the acceptance rates of your dream schools is an essential first step in the application process. The bulk of the work remains, as aspiring students must look into other factors, such as the admission process, tuition costs, and scholarship opportunities.
Admission Requirements
Admission requirements are among the most important factors to consider. Knowing these will help you prepare on time and do your best to fulfill all requirements. For first-year applicants, required materials include a completed application, an application fee or eligible fee waiver, two essays, course and grade information, one letter of recommendation, and English language proficiency test scores for applicants educated in non-English-speaking countries unless exempt. Applicants should also check the official admissions page for current deadlines and any country-specific document requirements.
Tuition Fees
Another important aspect is the cost of education. Knowing the latest tuition fees and other costs helps you identify which programs are suitable and determine how much of an investment your higher education will be. For 2025-26, UW-Madison lists undergraduate tuition and fees at $44,210 for nonresidents, with additional fees for incoming freshmen or transfer students and additional tuition for some programs. Graduate tuition varies by program, but the university-approved 2025-26 base tuition is $24,054 for nonresident graduate students, before other required fees and program-specific charges. International students should also budget for living expenses and any additional international student fees.
Scholarships
Many universities offer scholarships and other funding opportunities to help with education costs. UW-Madison has scholarship opportunities administered through its schools, colleges, and departments, and international students may be eligible for many of them. However, the university notes that there are no scholarships specifically for international students and that international students on visas are not eligible for financial aid through the Office of Student Financial Aid. Use the University of Wisconsin-Madison scholarships page as a starting point, then confirm each award’s requirements, benefits, deadlines, and application process on official UW-Madison pages.
With a strong reputation for community-driven, impactful research and academic excellence and a competitive first-year acceptance rate of about 40.8 percent, the University of Wisconsin-Madison is a top public university option. Unsurprisingly, it attracts a diverse pool of applicants from all over the world every year.
We hope you learned a lot about the acceptance rate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. To learn more about studying in the United States, check out the Available Courses for International Students or visit the Guide to Studying in the USA!
