University of Wisconsin-Madison

What University of Wisconsin-Madison's own numbers say, from its Common Data Set 2025-26.

All 1 insights at University of Wisconsin-Madison PRO

6 more things the data says PRO

1. The admit rate has moved down steadily, from 54.4% in 2019-20 to 40.8% in 2025-26. If the trend holds, expect about 38.4% in 2026-27.
2. Only 12% of enrolled first-years sent an SAT score, so its SAT range describes a minority of the class.
3. 28% of admitted students chose to enroll, higher than 87% of similar colleges.
4. Applications rose 73% from 2018-19 to 2025-26 (42,741 to 73,912), faster than 82% of colleges here.
5. 4,317 students stayed on the waitlist and 1,088 were admitted from it (25.2%).
6. Men were admitted at a lower rate: 43.8% for women against 37.7% for men.

What students say PRO

From students' own posts on Reddit and admissions forums: self-reported, unverified, never used in your odds.

• Most admits who named a round (about 27 of 34) applied Early Action; about 7 said Regular Decision.
• About 30 of 70 admits applied to computer science or related fields, mostly with SAT scores of about 1450 to 1590 or ACT 32 to 36.
• Many admits (about 20) founded something: a coding class or club, a nonprofit, a hackathon, or a business.
• Many admits (about 15) had research or internships in their field, some with papers or conference talks.
• Admits' grades were typically high, around 3.8 to 4.0, though a few got in with 3.3 to 3.5 and strong activities.
• Students report out-of-state Early Action applicants are often deferred, even with strong stats, and out-of-state admission has become more competitive.
• Students report waitlist offers come in waves depending on how many admits decline, and some waitlisted applicants get a Connections transfer pathway.
• Students report most out-of-state students pay full tuition, and international admits are generally not offered need-based aid.
• Students report official test scores and final transcripts must come from the testing agency or school; Common App self-reported scores did not count.
• Students describe portal clues such as a Terra Dotta entry as unreliable signs of admission before release.

Every number, year by year: University of Wisconsin-Madison on Open College Data. Something wrong? Suggest a correction.