University of Wisconsin–Madison acceptance rate, scores and deadlines
Source: Common Data Set 2025–26 · deadlines from Wisconsin's admissions site.
Acceptance rate
Wisconsin acceptance rate by year
30,167 of 73,912 applicants admitted for Fall 2025, against 45.2% for Fall 2024.
Show the numbers
| Entering class | Applied | Admitted | Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2025 | 73,912 | 30,167 | 40.8% | Common Data Set |
| Fall 2024 | 65,894 | 29,782 | 45.2% | IPEDS |
| Fall 2023 | 63,505 | 27,529 | 43.4% | IPEDS |
| Fall 2022 | 60,214 | 29,539 | 49.1% | IPEDS |
| Fall 2021 | 53,781 | 32,459 | 60.4% | IPEDS |
| Fall 2020 | 45,915 | 26,286 | 57.3% | IPEDS |
| Fall 2019 | 43,896 | 23,886 | 54.4% | IPEDS |
| Fall 2018 | 42,727 | 22,104 | 51.7% | IPEDS |
| Fall 2017 | 35,596 | 19,153 | 53.8% | IPEDS |
| Fall 2016 | 32,839 | 17,281 | 52.6% | IPEDS |
| Fall 2015 | 28,007 | 16,134 | 57.6% | IPEDS |
2026–27 applications
Wisconsin deadlines for 2026–27
Apply with Common App or Universities of Wisconsin Application. Checked October 24, 2026 on Wisconsin's admissions site. Dates can change; confirm them there before you submit.
- Early action Apply by Decisions By January 31
- Regular decision Apply by Decisions By March 31
Early rounds
Early decision and early action at Wisconsin
Wisconsin offers early action for 2026–27. It does not publish separate early admit rates in its Common Data Set.
Scores and GPA
Test scores and GPA at Wisconsin
Scores are for enrolled students who sent them, not for everyone admitted.
- 4.053.9%
- 3.75–3.9933.7%
- 3.50–3.748.5%
- 3.25–3.492.9%
- 3.00–3.240.7%
- 2.50–2.990.3%
What counts
What Wisconsin weighs
From section C7 of Wisconsin's Common Data Set 2025–26.
Very important
- Course rigor
- GPA
Important
- Essays
- Recommendations
- Activities
- Character
- State residency
Considered
- Class rank
- Test scores
- Talent or ability
- First-generation status
- Where you live
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
Not considered
- Interview
- Alumni relation
- Religious affiliation
- Demonstrated interest
Waitlist
Wisconsin waitlist
6,476 students were offered a place on the waitlist for Fall 2025, 4,317 accepted it, and 1,088 were admitted from it (25.2% of those who stayed on).
Cost
What Wisconsin costs
From the College Scorecard. For your own estimate, use Wisconsin's net price calculator.
Compare
Colleges with a similar acceptance rate
Close to Wisconsin's 40.8%, from the same official data.
FAQ
Questions about Wisconsin admissions
What is Wisconsin's acceptance rate?
Wisconsin admitted 30,167 of 73,912 first-year applicants for Fall 2025, an acceptance rate of 40.8%. That is down from 45.2% for Fall 2024. Source: Common Data Set 2025–26.
Is Wisconsin test-optional for 2026–27?
Yes. Wisconsin is test-optional for 2026–27: you can apply with or without SAT or ACT scores.
When are Wisconsin's application deadlines for 2026–27?
Early action: November 1, 2026; Regular decision: January 15, 2027. Check Wisconsin's admissions site before you apply, as dates can change.
What SAT score do you need for Wisconsin?
There is no cutoff. The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1400–1490 on the SAT (Fall 2025), and 11.8% of them sent a score. A score at or above 1490 is in the top quarter of enrolled students.
Where the numbers come from
Sources
- University of Wisconsin–Madison Common Data Set 2025–26
- College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education), IPEDS admissions 2015–2024
- Wisconsin first-year admissions, checked October 24, 2026
Odds are estimates from public data, shown as a range. An estimate, not a guarantee.
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