University of Wisconsin–Madison

Enrolled first-years at UW–Madison report an average high school GPA of about 3.91 on a 4.0 scale, and among the roughly 36% who submitted a class rank, about 58% were in the top tenth and 91% in the top quarter of their graduating class. There is no hard cutoff, but the rigor of your course load is weighed as a very important factor right alongside your GPA.

UW–Madison is selective but attainable by elite-public standards, admitting about 41% of applicants from a pool of roughly 74,000 and enrolling around 8,500 first-years. Admission is more competitive for out-of-state and international applicants, since out-of-state students already make up about 52% of undergraduates and state residency is weighed as an important factor.

Out-of-state applicants face notably tougher odds than Wisconsin residents. In fall 2025, UW–Madison admitted about 56.4% of in-state applicants (5,672 of 10,058) but only about 40.3% of out-of-state applicants (19,948 of 49,463); international applicants, reported separately, were admitted at about 31.6%. State residency is listed as an important admissions factor, so if you are applying from outside Wisconsin, plan on a more competitive profile than the overall figures imply.

Yes — a 1450 is competitive at UW–Madison, landing right at the median score for enrolled first-years and inside the 1400–1490 middle-50% band. Enrolled first-years also scored 29–33 on the ACT. UW–Madison is test-optional through the spring 2027 application cycle, so scores are considered but not required.

Yes — UW–Madison is test-optional through the spring 2027 application cycle, so SAT or ACT scores are not required and you are not disadvantaged for leaving them out. If you do submit, scores are weighed as a considered factor; the middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1400–1490 on the SAT and 29–33 on the ACT.

Annual tuition and required fees run about $12,166 for Wisconsin residents and $44,191 for out-of-state students. About 35% of first-years receive need-based grant aid, with an average package near $36,138, and UW–Madison meets roughly 91% of demonstrated need on average.

The social sciences are the single largest degree area at about 14% of bachelor's degrees, followed by business and marketing (12%), the biological and life sciences (11%), engineering (11%), and computer and information sciences (10%). The university's breadth means dozens of other programs make up the remaining degrees conferred.

Yes. UW–Madison rates the application essay as an important factor in its holistic review — below the very important academic record and GPA, but above standardized test scores, which are only considered. Because the school is test-optional and draws roughly 74,000 applications, a specific, well-revised essay is one of the clearest ways a strong applicant can stand out.

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