University of Wisconsin-Madison
Data sourced from IPEDS, Institutional Website · Last verified 2026-09-15. This provenance applies to the record as a whole — figures marked with a star are sourced separately, as noted at the bottom of the page.
Preparation
This is helpful preparation, not a formal admission requirement.
Admissions
How admission works here
- Where you apply
- The Common App. Common App requirements grid
- Test scores
- Test scores are never required. Common App requirements grid
- Essays
- The Common App personal essay is required. Common App requirements grid
- Recommendations
- 1 teacher recommendation. Common App requirements grid
- Application fee
- $80. The Common App fee waiver is accepted. Common App requirements grid
- Deadlines
- Early Action November 1, Regular Decision January 15. UW-Madison admissions
My Fit uses this overall rate to classify your chances here.
Applying
Applying through the Common App
- Application fee
- $80
- Common App fee waiver
- Accepted
- Common App personal essay
- Required
- Self-reported courses and grades
- Required
- Recommendations
- 1 teacher recommendation
Source: Common App requirements grid, updated 2026-09-18. Anything not listed here wasn't stated in the grid, which is not the same as not required.
College-specific prompts can change each application cycle. Check the school's official application page for the latest requirements.
View official application requirementsAcademics
Flagship Programs
Career & Major Pathways
Cost
This is the full yearly cost before any financial aid. What your family would actually pay is in the Financial Aid section. Cost figures are approximate, so confirm current numbers on the college's website.
Financial Aid
What families actually paid, by household income
Average for students who received federal aid. Your own figure depends on your family's finances and the aid this school offers you.
- Under $30,000
- $4,200
- $30,001 – $48,000
- $4,101
- $48,001 – $75,000
- $8,134
- $75,001 – $110,000
- $17,763
- Over $110,000
- $27,292
College Scorecard (latest.cost.net_price.public.by_income_level.*), 2024
Every school is required to publish a net price calculator. It asks about your family's finances and returns an estimate for you specifically, which is worth more than any average on this page. Your school counselor and the college's financial aid office can also help.
Scholarships and merit aid
UW-Madison's out-of-state population is large and merit aid (e.g., the Bucky's Tuition Promise is need-based/in-state only) is limited for nonresidents, so most out-of-state families should plan for close to the sticker price unless a specific college-level scholarship applies.
Campus
Campus Fit
*College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education) · 2024
†UW-Madison admissions · 2026-27