University of Wisconsin-Madison

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University of Wisconsin-Madison - An overview

University of Wisconsin–Madison has consistently catalyzed extraordinary achievements since its establishment in 1848. As a distinguished public land-grant research university in Madison, Wisconsin, it stands as the official state university and flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System.

Considered a Public Ivy, the University of Wisconsin is one of the 12 founding members of the Association of American Universities. Leading the way in public education in Wisconsin, the university remains the state's oldest and largest public university.

Since its inception, the Wisconsin idea has been to remain committed to public service and address real-world challenges. The University of Wisconsin-Madison is organized into several schools and colleges that offer prestigious academic programs including undergraduate majors, master’s degree programs, and doctoral programs. 


Ranking

  • US News & World Report Rankings: The University of Wisconsin-Madison has been ranked 35th among public and private institutions, and 12th among public universities in the 2024 edition of the US News & World Report’s Best College Rankings. 
  • Times Higher Education Rankings: The Times Higher Education Rankings have placed the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the 63rd position in its World University Rankings.
  • QS World University Rankings: As per the 2024 edition of QS World University Rankings, the University of Wisconsin-Madison is ranked 102. 


Schools Under University of Wisconsin-Madison

  • College of Agricultural & Life Sciences: The College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at UW-Madison offers 24 graduate programs, including MS and Ph.D. options in Agricultural & Applied Economics, Biological Systems Engineering, and Agronomy, with a Ph.D. program specifically in Genetics and an MS program in Life Sciences Communication.
  • Division of the Arts: UW-Madison Division of the Arts offers the Artivism Student Action Program (ASAP), and Arts Residency Programs. 
  • School of Business: UW-Madison School of Business is ranked 12th among the Best Public Universities in the 2024 edition of US News & World Report. It offers Master’s programs in management, including full-time, professional, and executive MBAs, as well as MS programs in Accounting & Business Analysis, Financial Economics, and Finance, Investment & Banking. 
  • School of Computer, Data & Information Sciences: Offers both traditional, campus-based and online graduate programs. Options for Master’s programs include Data Engineering, Data Science, and Statistics, while Computer Sciences and information are available for Ph.D. programs. 
  • Division of Continuing Studies: UW-Madison Division of Continuing Studies is dedicated to delivering a diverse array of programs and courses designed for professional development, catering to the needs of in-person and online learners. 
  • School of Education: UW-Madison School of Education is home to top-rated graduate programs in arts, education, and health. Popular options available here include an MFA in Art, an MS in Counseling, Ph.D. programs in Counseling Psychology and Educational Psychology, as well as MS and Ph.D. options in Kinesiology.
  • College of Engineering: UW-Madison College of Engineering is one of the premier engineering colleges in the country. It offers highly ranked graduate degrees and programs, including a Master’s in Engineering Data Analytics, Sustainable Systems Engineering, and an accelerated program in Biomedical Engineering. 
  • Nelson Institute of Environmental Studies: This institute offers four interdisciplinary graduate degree programs and two graduate certificate programs. 
  • Graduate School: Serves as the central authority overseeing graduate education across all schools and departments within UW-Madison.
  • School of Human Ecology: The School of Human Ecology at UW-Madison primarily offers Master’s degrees in Human Ecology and Design & Innovation, along with Ph.D. programs in Civil Society & Community Research, and Consumer Behavior & Family Economics. 
  • Information School: Popularly known as UW-Madison iSchool, this institution offers an MA in Library & Information Studies, an MS in Information, and a Ph.D. program. 
  • School of Journalism and Mass Communication: UW-Madison SJMC is recognized as one of the top universities for communication and media studies in the world. It offers Research and Professional MAs, as well as a Ph.D. in Mass Communications. 
  • Language Institute: Founded in 2004, UW-Madison Language Institute is a powerhouse in the field of language education and research. 
  • Law School: Known for its prestigious legal education, UW-Madison Law School offers Juris Doctor (JD), Master of Laws (LLM), and Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) programs.
  • College of Letters & Science: The College of Letters and Science at UW-Madison offers a variety of courses spanning different departments, including humanities, natural, physical, and biological sciences, social sciences, as well as data, computing, and information sciences.
  • School of Medicine and Public Health: The UW-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health provides world-class education and research opportunities. Popular graduate programs include Master’s and Ph.D. programs in Biomedical Data Science, as well as a Ph.D. program in Cancer Biology and Cellular and Molecular Pathology.
  • Mead Witter School of Music: The School of Music at UW-Madison offers a Master of Arts in Music program with specializations in music theory, along with a dual Master's degree in collaboration with the Information School.
  • School of Nursing: The graduate programs offered at the UW-Madison School of Nursing include the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.).
  • School of Pharmacy: UW-Madison School of Pharmacy offers a diverse range of graduate programs, including M.S. and Ph.D. options in Health Services Research in Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, as well as an M.S. program in Pharmacy.
  • La Follette School of Public Affairs: The graduate programs available at the School of Public Affairs are; Law and Public Affairs (MPA/J.D.), Public Health and Public Affairs (MPA/MPH), Neuroscience and Public Affairs (MPA/Ph.D.), and Urban and Regional Planning and Public Affairs (MPA/M.S.).
  • Sandra Rosenbaum School of Social Work: UW-Madison School of Social Work offers full-time and part-time Master's in Social Work (MSW) programs, as well as a Ph.D. in Social Welfare.
  • School of Veterinary Medicine: UW-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine offers the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program and the Comparative Biomedical Sciences (CBMS) graduate program for M.S. or Ph.D. degrees.


Graduate Acceptance Rate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison

  • The University of Wisconsin-Madison experienced a competitive graduate acceptance rate in 2023, with a total of 21,199 applicants.
  • Out of the applicants, a notable 7,183 students received admission to the university's graduate programs.
  • Ultimately, there were a total of 3,279 new enrollments at the University of Wisconsin, reflecting the final cohort of successful applicants.
  • Graduate acceptance rate: 33.8%


Composition of Undergraduate Students

57.25% Acceptance Rate
45915 Students Applied
26286 Students got Accepted

An acceptance rate of 57.25% makes it relatively easy to get admission.

Composition of Graduate Students

11952 Students Enrolled (On-campus & Online)
3657 Students enrolled exclusively in distance education
5263 Students enrolled in at least one distance education course
666 Students enrolled in top 8 Masters degree program
162 Total Graduate Programs Specialization
What is the admission policy at University of Wisconsin-Madison?

University of Wisconsin-Madison has an open admission policy. It will accept any student who applies.

Ranking

University of Wisconsin-Madison has been ranked 40

Admission

Acceptance Rate: 57.25%

Tuition

Tuition for Graduate Programs: $25,523

Under Graduate Program Tuition: $38,630

Financial Aid

Average Amount of Financial Aid Awarded: $11,609

Average Amount of Institutional Aid Awarded: $11,630

University of Wisconsin-Madison most popular Master's Degree programs with respect to student count are

  • Social Work : 167
  • Medicine : 159
  • Econometrics and Quantitative Economics : 156
  • Law : 147
  • Pharmacy : 128

University of Wisconsin-Madison most popular under graduate programs with respect to student count are

  • Computer and Information Sciences : 485
  • Economics : 422
  • Psychology : 349
  • Biology and Biological Sciences : 334
  • Political Science and Government : 242