Madison, Wisconsin · ★ 3.5 / 5 Overall (2 Student Reviews)
Public domain. File page
Public · 4-year · Doctoral
The University of Wisconsin–Madison (University of Wisconsin, Wisconsin, UW, UW–Madison, or simply Madison) is a public land-grant research university in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. It was founded in 1848 when Wisconsin achieved statehood and is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. The 933-acre (378 ha) main campus is located on the shores of Lake Mendota; the university also owns and operates a 1,200-acre (486 ha) arboretum 4 miles (6.4 km) south of the main campus. UW–Madison is organized into 13 schools and colleges, which enrolled approximately 34,200 undergraduate and 14,300 graduate and professional students in 2024. Its academic programs include 136 undergraduate majors, 148 master's degree programs, and 120 doctoral programs. Wisconsin is one of the founding members of the Association of American Universities and is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very High Research Activity". UW–Madison was also the home of both the prominent "Wisconsin School" of economics and diplomatic history. It ranked fifth among U.S. universities in research expenditures in 2024. As of March 2023, 20 Nobel laureates, 41 Pulitzer Prize winners, 2 Fields medalists, and 1 Turing Award recipient have been affiliated with UW–Madison as alumni, faculty, or researchers. It is also a leading producer of Fulbright Scholars and MacArthur Fellows. The Wisconsin Badgers compete in 25 intercollegiate sports in NCAA Division I, primarily in the Big Ten Conference, and have won 31 national championships. Wisconsin students and alumni have won 50 Olympic medals (including 13 gold medals).
College City Gets High Marks
Ranked #18 in College City Gets High Marks (2027). Source: Princeton Review ↗
National rank
Ranked #20 in the US by CWUR (2026). Source: CWUR US ↗
National rank
Ranked #24 in the US by Times Higher Education (2026). Source: THE US ↗
Unfiltered student reviews about the real
experience at this University
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500 Lincoln Dr, Madison, Wisconsin, 53706-1380
Visit University SiteWorld rank
Ranked #29 globally by CWUR (2026). Source: CWUR World ↗
National Universities
Ranked #36 in National Universities (2026). Source: US News ↗
National rank
Ranked #53 in Forbes Top Colleges (2026). Source: Forbes ↗
World rank
Ranked #53 globally in Times Higher Education (2026). Source: THE World ↗
25th–75th percentile
SAT total: 1360–1510
SAT ERW: 660–730
SAT math: 700–780
ACT composite: 28–32
Total: 49,605
Undergrad: 36,797
Undergrad full-time: 34,278
Graduate: 12,808
Part-time: 4,677
In-state
Tuition: $11,205
Total cost on campus: $28,905
Out-of-state
Tuition: $40,603
Total cost on campus: $58,303
Room & board: $13,500
Books & supplies: $1,100
Receive aid: 60%
Avg grant aid: $11,350
Pell grant recipients: 17%
Rent: $808 / mo
Average city asking rent, as a roommate share. Zillow Observed Rent Index.
Coffee: $5.00
State average cafe price. Numbeo, 2024.
Gas: $4.31 / gal
State average price. AAA.
Average meal: $6.90
Published board plan, per meal. IPEDS.