Logo of University of Wisconsin-Madison

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Madison, United States Founded 1848 World Rank #75

Updated Jun 2026

Overview

Acronyms: UW
Founded: 1848
Institution Type: University
Control Type: Public
Entity Type: Non-profit
World Rank: #75
Rank in United States: #19
Motto: Numen Lumen
Colours: Cardinal and white
Mascot: Bucky Badger
University of Wisconsin-Madison campus building
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Established in 1848, the University of Wisconsin-Madison is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the small city of Madison (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants), Wisconsin.

Officially accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW) is a very large-sized coeducational US higher education institution. University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor's degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation), bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study.

This 176-year-old US higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic records and grades. The acceptance rate range is 60-69% making this US higher education organization a moderately selective institution.

International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment.

UW also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, online courses and distance learning opportunities, as well as administrative services.

Location & Contact

Planning a visit to University of Wisconsin-Madison or following up with admissions? Location and contact details are listed below. Admissions email typically replies within 5–10 business days during peak season.

Address: 500 Lincoln Drive
Postal Code: 53706-1380
Phone: +1 (608) 263 2400
Fax: +1 (608) 262 0123
Social Media:

Academic Details

Below are the institutional metrics for University of Wisconsin-Madison: scale, staffing balance, and accreditation context. These shape the academic experience more than headline rankings often suggest.

Recognition: Higher Learning Commission
Total Students: 36,902
Student Enrollment: 40
Academic Staff Range: 4,000-4,499
Campus Setting: Urban
Memberships & Networks
University of Wisconsin System (UW System) Association of American Universities (AAU) Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU) Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA) Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) Midwest Universities Consortium for International Activities (MUCIA) National Athletic Association (NAA) National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)

Academic Structures

The schools and colleges that constitute University of Wisconsin-Madison's academic body are organised below. Each often controls its own admissions criteria, scholarships, and programme entry standards.

Unit 16 items
  • College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
  • College of Engineering
  • College of Letters and Science
  • Division of Continuing Studies
  • Gaylord Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies
  • Graduate School
  • International Division
  • Law School
  • Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs
  • School of Business, Wisconsin
  • School of Education
  • School of Human Ecology
  • School of Medicine and Public Health
  • School of Nursing
  • School of Pharmacy
  • School of Veterinary Medicine

Programs Offered

Below are University of Wisconsin-Madison's active programmes grouped by degree level, with search. Use the filter to narrow by keyword and the level groupings to compare options at the same qualification tier.

731 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in United States

Bachelor's Degree 99 programmes

Bachelor's Degree in Accounting and Related Services
Accounting
Bachelor's Degree in African Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
Linguistics & Language Studies
Bachelor's Degree in Agricultural Business and Management
Agriculture
Bachelor's Degree in Agricultural Engineering
General Engineering
Bachelor's Degree in Agricultural Public Services
Agriculture
Bachelor's Degree in Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
Biomedical & Laboratory Sciences
Bachelor's Degree in Animal Sciences
Agriculture
Bachelor's Degree in Anthropology
Social & Cultural Studies
Bachelor's Degree in Apparel and Textiles
Family & Consumer Science
Bachelor's Degree in Applied Mathematics
Mathematics

Showing 10 of 99.

Master's Degree 107 programmes

Master's Degree in Accounting and Related Services
Accounting
Master's Degree in African Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
Linguistics & Language Studies
Master's Degree in Agricultural Business and Management
Agriculture
Master's Degree in Agricultural Engineering
General Engineering
Master's Degree in Agricultural Production Operations
Agriculture
Master's Degree in Agricultural Public Services
Agriculture
Master's Degree in Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
Biomedical & Laboratory Sciences
Master's Degree in Animal Sciences
Agriculture
Master's Degree in Anthropology
Social & Cultural Studies
Master's Degree in Area Studies
Social & Cultural Studies

Showing 10 of 107.

Doctorate 83 programmes

Doctorate in African Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
Linguistics & Language Studies
Doctorate in Agricultural Business and Management
Agriculture
Doctorate in Agricultural Engineering
General Engineering
Doctorate in Animal Sciences
Agriculture
Doctorate in Anthropology
Social & Cultural Studies
Doctorate in Area Studies
Social & Cultural Studies
Doctorate in Astronomy and Astrophysics
Physics & Astronomy
Doctorate in Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology
Climate Studies & Meteorology
Doctorate in Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education
Education & Teaching
Doctorate in Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
Biochemistry

Showing 10 of 83.

Professional Doctorate 8 programmes

Professional Doctorate in Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
Biomedical & Laboratory Sciences
Professional Doctorate in Communication Disorders Sciences and Services
Speech & Language Therapy
Professional Doctorate in Law
Law
Professional Doctorate in Medicine
Medicine
Professional Doctorate in Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration
Pharmacy
Professional Doctorate in Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
Nursing
Professional Doctorate in Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions
Rehabilitation Sciences
Professional Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine
Agriculture

Certificate 60 programmes

Certificate in Accounting and Related Services
Accounting
Certificate in Agricultural Business and Management
Agriculture
Certificate in Agricultural Mechanization
Agriculture
Certificate in Agricultural Production Operations
Agriculture
Certificate in Agricultural Public Services
Agriculture
Certificate in Apparel and Textiles
Family & Consumer Science
Certificate in Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services
Agriculture
Certificate in Archeology
Social & Cultural Studies
Certificate in Area Studies
Social & Cultural Studies
Certificate in Biology, General
Biological Sciences

Showing 10 of 60.

Postgraduate Certificate 39 programmes

Postgraduate Certificate in Agricultural Public Services
Agriculture
Postgraduate Certificate in Area Studies
Social & Cultural Studies
Postgraduate Certificate in Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology
Biological Sciences
Postgraduate Certificate in Biomedical/Medical Engineering
Bio & Biomedical Engineering
Postgraduate Certificate in Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other
Business Administration
Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions
Biomedical & Laboratory Sciences
Postgraduate Certificate in Communication Disorders Sciences and Services
Speech & Language Therapy
Postgraduate Certificate in Computer and Information Sciences, General
Computer Sciences
Postgraduate Certificate in Computer Science
Computer Sciences
Postgraduate Certificate in Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services
Nutrition & Dietetics

Showing 10 of 39.

Other Programs 335 programmes

Accounting Fundamentals, Certificate
Accounting, Certificate
African American Studies, BA
African American Studies, BS
African American Studies, Certificate
African Cultural Studies, BA
African Cultural Studies, BS
African Studies, Certificate
Aging Studies, Certificate
Agricultural and Applied Economics, BS

Showing 10 of 335.

How to apply to University of Wisconsin-Madison

A short guide to applying to University of Wisconsin-Madison — five steps covering the path from programme selection to confirmation of receipt.

  1. 1
    Identify the right programme

    Start by exploring the programmes section on this page. University of Wisconsin-Madison runs 731 active programmes across multiple degree levels. Narrow by qualification tier and read each programme description before shortlisting.

  2. 2
    Check entry requirements

    Before applying to University of Wisconsin-Madison, confirm you meet the academic, language, and document requirements for your chosen programme. International applicants should also check visa eligibility for United States.

  3. 3
    Prepare your application documents

    Standard documents: official transcripts, identity proof, language test results, personal statement, and references. Confirm exact requirements with University of Wisconsin-Madison's admissions office before assembling, as expectations vary by programme.

  4. 4
    Submit via the institution

    Lodge your application through the official website (www.wisc.edu). Online forms are the standard route. Save your draft frequently and submit before the programme deadline.

  5. 5
    Get in touch with admissions

    Verify your application has been received by the admissions team. You can reach the institution by email at [email protected] or by phone at +1 (608) 263 2400. Monitor the portal for status updates, interview invitations, or document requests, and respond within the stated deadlines.

Frequently Asked Questions about University of Wisconsin-Madison

The questions below summarise University of Wisconsin-Madison's vital institutional details — useful as a quick reference before drilling into specific sections.

How old is University of Wisconsin-Madison?

The institution opened in 1848 (approximately 178 years ago).

Where can I find University of Wisconsin-Madison?

The institution is located in Madison, United States.

Is University of Wisconsin-Madison public or private?

University of Wisconsin-Madison is a public institution.

How many students does University of Wisconsin-Madison have?

The institution has a student body of 40,000-44,999.

What is University of Wisconsin-Madison's ranking?

University of Wisconsin-Madison is ranked #75 globally and #19 in United States.

What is University of Wisconsin-Madison's academic structure?

The institution comprises 16 academic units.

Who recognises University of Wisconsin-Madison?

The institution holds recognition from Higher Learning Commission.

What is University of Wisconsin-Madison's official website?

The institution's website is www.wisc.edu.

Top-Ranked Universities in the United States

the United States's most prominent universities are listed below — relevant for assessing University of Wisconsin-Madison's national positioning. National prominence signals not just academic strength but also employer recognition.

Members of Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA)

Member institutions of Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) often have reciprocity arrangements on accreditation — degrees from one member institution typically face fewer credential-recognition issues at others.

Faculties at nearby universities

Universities geographically close to University of Wisconsin-Madison are listed below — useful if commute, campus visits, or regional culture factor into your shortlist. Many students compare nearby options before committing to a final choice.

Where Else to Study Agriculture

Alumni outcomes data publication varies across Agriculture programmes in the United States. Where available, post-grad employment and salary data is the best signal of programme quality beyond marketing claims.

Universities Compared with University of Wisconsin-Madison

Universities at a similar tier to University of Wisconsin-Madison appear below, useful for cross-comparison on academic credentials. Comparable institutions often share faculty mobility patterns and external recognition signals.

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