University of Wisconsin-Madison Acceptance Rate
Madison, Wisconsin · Public · 4-year or above
- Applicants
- 63,505
- Admitted
- 27,529
- Yield
- 28.9%
- Test policy
- Test-optional
Latest official IPEDS 2023–24 · Updated July 2026
Acceptance rate & applications over time
Hover or tap the chart to read any year.
Over the 10 years of federal data, University of Wisconsin-Madison's acceptance rate has fallen from 56.9% in 2014–15 to 43.3% in 2023–24. Applications grew from 25,438 to 63,505 (+150%) over that period.
Its 43.3% rate makes University of Wisconsin-Madison more selective than about 88% of the 1,419 schools tracked here. Among 33 tracked Wisconsin schools, it is more selective than about 97%.
In 2023–24, women were admitted at a higher rate (45.9% for women vs 40.8% for men, a 5.1-point gap). University of Wisconsin-Madison has been test-optional since 2020–21. Of admitted students, 28.9% enrolled (the yield rate) in 2023–24.
Full year-by-year table
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | 25,438 | 14,484 | 56.9% | 6,264 |
| 2015–16 | 28,007 | 16,134 | 57.6% | 6,269 |
| 2016–17 | 32,839 | 17,281 | 52.6% | 6,430 |
| 2017–18 | 35,596 | 19,153 | 53.8% | 6,609 |
| 2018–19 | 42,727 | 22,104 | 51.7% | 6,862 |
| 2019–20 | 43,896 | 23,886 | 54.4% | 7,550 |
| 2020–21 | 45,915 | 26,286 | 57.2% | 7,306 |
| 2021–22 | 53,781 | 32,459 | 60.4% | 8,465 |
| 2022–23 | 60,214 | 29,539 | 49.1% | 8,628 |
| 2023–24 | 63,505 | 27,529 | 43.3% | 7,964 |
Acceptance rate by gender
| Group | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 32,010 | 14,690 | 45.9% |
| Men | 31,492 | 12,837 | 40.8% |
SAT / ACT ranges & policy
Test-optional (considered if submitted).
| Test | 25th–75th percentile | % submitting |
|---|---|---|
| SAT EBRW | 660–730 | 14% |
| SAT Math | 700–780 | |
| ACT Composite | 28–32 | 30% |
How University of Wisconsin compares
Where this school sits among peers of similar selectivity — each dot is a school's current acceptance rate on the same scale.
Frequently asked
What is University of Wisconsin-Madison's acceptance rate?
University of Wisconsin-Madison's acceptance rate is 43.3% for 2023–24, the most recent year of federal IPEDS data (27,529 admitted of 63,505 applicants).
Is University of Wisconsin-Madison test optional?
University of Wisconsin-Madison is test-optional: SAT/ACT scores are considered if submitted but not required.
How many people apply to University of Wisconsin-Madison?
University of Wisconsin-Madison received 63,505 applications in 2023–24 and admitted 27,529.
What SAT score do you need for University of Wisconsin-Madison?
Admitted students at University of Wisconsin-Madison typically scored 660–730 on SAT Reading/Writing and 700–780 on SAT Math (middle-50% ranges).
Is University of Wisconsin-Madison getting harder to get into?
University of Wisconsin-Madison has become harder to get into: its acceptance rate went from 56.9% in 2014–15 to 43.3% in 2023–24.
How this is calculated
Acceptance rate = admitted ÷ applicants, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates, from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS Admissions (ADM) survey; institution details from the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics (HD) survey. Data span: 2014–15 to 2023–24. Official site: www.wisc.edu/.