More selective than 100% of Wisconsin colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
14% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 30% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose University of Wisconsin-Madison over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
We don't have University of Wisconsin-Madison's Common Data Set yet, the college's own report of what it weighs in admissions, early decision and waitlist numbers. Work at University of Wisconsin-Madison or have its file? Send it to us.
University of Wisconsin-Madison SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, University of Wisconsin-Madison is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 670 | 740 |
| SAT math | 710 | 780 |
| ACT composite | 29 | 33 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1380 | 1520 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
University of Wisconsin-Madison admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 45% | 670–740 | 710–780 | 29–33 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 43% | 660–730 | 700–780 | 28–32 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is University of Wisconsin-Madison compared with other Wisconsin colleges?
University of Wisconsin-Madison has the lowest acceptance rate of 35 Wisconsin colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Wisconsin-Madison | 45% | 90% | $17,354 |
| 2 | Milwaukee School of Engineering | 59% | 67% | $22,453 |
| 3 | Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design | 61% | 67% | $26,541 |
| 4 | Mount Mary University | 62% | 43% | $20,144 |
| 5 | Beloit College | 63% | 71% | $21,526 |
| 6 | Lawrence University | 64% | 77% | $23,401 |
| 7 | Carroll University | 67% | 71% | $15,193 |
| 8 | Maranatha Baptist University | 72% | 64% | $26,005 |
| 9 | Viterbo University | 72% | 68% | $21,260 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Wisconsin colleges →
Who enrolls at University of Wisconsin-Madison
College Scorecard; IPEDS
University of Wisconsin-Madison admissions questions
What is the University of Wisconsin-Madison acceptance rate?
University of Wisconsin-Madison accepts 45% of applicants, about 1 in 2. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 27,529 of 63,505 applicants were admitted.
Does University of Wisconsin-Madison require the SAT or ACT?
University of Wisconsin-Madison considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 14% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 30% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for University of Wisconsin-Madison?
The middle 50% of University of Wisconsin-Madison enrolled first-year students scored 1380–1520 on the SAT and 29–33 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at University of Wisconsin-Madison?
29% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (7,964 of 27,529).
Is University of Wisconsin-Madison getting harder to get into?
University of Wisconsin-Madison accepted 45% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 43% for Fall 2023.
Is University of Wisconsin-Madison the right fit for your family?
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to University of Wisconsin-Madison overview