University of Wisconsin-Madison
#2 Best Bachelor's Programs in Wisconsin- Graduation Rate
- 89% A
- Most students who enroll finish their degree here
- Earnings (10yr)
- $73,792 A
- Top 6% nationally — exceptional earning power
- Net Price
- $17,354 C
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 45% A-
- Selective, but achievable with strong credentials
Bottom line: A B overall grade — strong outcomes across the board. 26.8× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $26.8 over 20 years. Ranked #2 in Best Bachelor's Programs in Wisconsin.
Every $1 spent returns $26.8 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,787,909.
What The Data Says
-
A B overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
-
Graduates earn 81% more than the national college median.
-
A 89% graduation rate — 57% above the national average.
-
Every $1 invested returns $26.8 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- World Rank
- #27
- Times Higher Education
- Research Score
- 77/100
- Times Higher Education
Why University of Wisconsin-Madison Matters
University of Wisconsin-Madison is a public research university in Madison, WI ranked #27 in the world by Times Higher Education, and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a top-tier research enterprise and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduates whose earnings land in the top 6% of all U.S. colleges.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R1 · Very High Research
- Enrollment
- 36,902
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical, Computer Science & IT
Why students choose University of Wisconsin-Madison
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Selective — admits about 45% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1380–1520. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $17,354 a year after grants and scholarships — 1% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $73,792 ten years after enrolling — 81% above the typical college, against $20,484 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.78 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of nearly 37,000 students, the University of Wisconsin-Madison is a strong choice for those who thrive in a vibrant, diverse environment. If you’re interested in fields like Business, Biology, or Computer Science, this school has solid programs that cater to your academic interests. The acceptance rate of 45% suggests a competitive atmosphere, but it’s also a place where students can find community and support among their peers.
Looking at outcomes, graduates from Wisconsin-Madison earn an average of $73,792 within ten years of completing their degree. This strong earning potential points to a positive return on investment for students. With a graduation rate of 89%, most students are not just moving through their programs but are also finding pathways to success after college. The affordability is another key factor, with a net price of $17,354, making it accessible for many families.
When it comes to finances, students graduate with a median debt of $20,484, which is manageable for the earnings they can expect. This balance between cost and potential earnings makes it a pragmatic choice for many. Students who tend to thrive here are those who take advantage of the resources available, engage in their studies, and connect with the vibrant campus life in Madison.
Rankings
- #2 Best Bachelor's Programs in Wisconsin
- #2 Best Master's Programs in Wisconsin
- #2 Best Computer Science Colleges in Wisconsin
- #2 Best Communications Colleges in Wisconsin
- #2 Best Data Science Colleges in Wisconsin
- #3 Best Colleges in Wisconsin
- #4 Best Business Colleges in Wisconsin
- #5 Best Online Colleges in Wisconsin
Can I Get In?
How selective University of Wisconsin-Madison is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Wisconsin-Madison? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Madison, Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin-Madison reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 45%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,427. The graduation rate is roughly 89%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 45%
- Retention Rate
- 96%
- SAT Average
- 1427
- ACT Midpoint
- 29
- SAT Range
- 1380–1520
- ACT Range
- 29–33
- Full-Time Faculty
- 86%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $15,643
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 18:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.62
- First-Gen Students
- 17%
- Applicants
- 60,214
- Admitted
- 29,539
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Wisconsin-Madison? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Wisconsin-Madison is $42,103, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $17,354. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $4,200 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,484 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $11,603
- Out-of-State
- $42,103
- Avg Net Price
- $17,354
- Median Debt
- $20,484
- Pell Grant Rate
- 16%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 20%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $4,200
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $4,101
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $8,134
- Family Income $110K+
- $27,292
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is University of Wisconsin-Madison Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Wisconsin-Madison earn a median of $73,792, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $61,275
- 8 Years
- $69,868
- 10 Years
- $73,792
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.28x
- Earning > $25K
- 80%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (4,124)
- 66%
- 100% (4,124)
- 66%
- 100% (4,124)
- 66%
- 100% (4,124)
- 66%
How University Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is University of Wisconsin-Madison Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, University of Wisconsin-Madison delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $17,354/year ($69,416 total). Graduates earn $73,792 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,857,325 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,787,909 (26.8× your investment). The median debt is $20,484, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 89% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $69,416
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,857,325
- Net Return
- $1,787,909
- ROI Multiple
- 26.8×
- Cost Per Year
- $17,354
- Median Debt
- $20,484
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 89%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Research & Teaching
Data: Times Higher Education World University Rankings
How Research-Intensive Is University of Wisconsin-Madison? World Rank, Teaching & Citations
Times Higher Education places University of Wisconsin-Madison at #27 worldwide, a mark of serious research standing. Its profile spans a research score of 77/100, teaching at 74/100, and citation impact of 91/100, reflecting both the volume of research output and how often that work is cited by scholars elsewhere.
- World Rank
- #27
- Teaching
- 74.3
- Research
- 77.3
- Citations
- 90.6
- International
- 23.8
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
- Research Score
- 77/100
- Times Higher Ed
- Academic Influence
- 91/100
- Citation impact (THE)
- Industry Engagement
- 55/100
- Knowledge transfer (THE)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-59,277,711
Top Programs
The fields University of Wisconsin-Madison awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Business & Marketing 16%
- Social Sciences 9%
- Biology & Biomedical 8%
- Computer Science & IT 7%
- Engineering 7%
- Communications 6%
- Health Professions 5%
- Psychology 3%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for University of Wisconsin-Madison's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Wisconsin-Madison? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Madison, Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin-Madison reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 45%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,427. The graduation rate is roughly 89%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Wisconsin-Madison? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Wisconsin-Madison is $42,103, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $17,354. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $4,200 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,484 in federal student loans.
Is University of Wisconsin-Madison Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Wisconsin-Madison earn a median of $73,792, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
How Connected Is University of Wisconsin-Madison? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Wisconsin-Madison. Its economic connectedness score is 1.78, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 9% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
How Research-Intensive Is University of Wisconsin-Madison? World Rank, Teaching & Citations
Times Higher Education places University of Wisconsin-Madison at #27 worldwide, a mark of serious research standing. Its profile spans a research score of 77/100, teaching at 74/100, and citation impact of 91/100, reflecting both the volume of research output and how often that work is cited by scholars elsewhere.
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Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to University of Wisconsin-Madison.
- University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignChampaign, IL · Close peer85% grad $81,054 earn 42% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Maryland-College ParkCollege Park, MD · Close peer89% grad $82,860 earn 45% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- North Carolina State University at RaleighRaleigh, NC · Close peer85% grad $68,758 earn 42% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Purdue University-Main CampusWest Lafayette, IN · Close peer83% grad $72,424 earn 50% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of California-DavisDavis, CA · Close peer85% grad $80,838 earn 42% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of GeorgiaAthens, GA · Close peer89% grad $68,726 earn 38% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is University of Wisconsin-Madison? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Wisconsin-Madison. Its economic connectedness score is 1.78, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 9% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note