UW-Madison Student Enrollment: A Comprehensive Analysis

The University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison), a public land-grant research university and the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System, has a rich history and a significant impact on the state and beyond. Founded in 1848, when Wisconsin achieved statehood, UW-Madison has grown into a leading institution with a diverse student body and a wide range of academic programs. This article delves into the details of UW-Madison's student enrollment statistics, exploring trends, demographics, and factors influencing these numbers.

Overview of UW-Madison

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is organized into 13 schools and colleges. It offers 136 undergraduate majors, 148 master's degree programs, and 120 doctoral programs. UW-Madison is a founding member of the Association of American Universities, is considered a Public Ivy, and is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities - Very High Research Activity". 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.

Historical Context

The university had its official beginnings when the Wisconsin Territorial Legislature in its 1838 session passed a law incorporating a "University of the Territory of Wisconsin". On July 26, 1848, Wisconsin's first governor, Nelson Dewey, signed the act that formally created the University of Wisconsin. John H. Lathrop became the university's first chancellor, in the fall of 1849.

Campus and Facilities

The main campus of the university is situated partially on the Madison Isthmus between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona. The main campus comprises 933 acres (378 ha) of land, while the entire campus, including research stations throughout the state, is over 10,600 acres (4,290 ha) in area. The campus contains four National Historic Landmarks. The central campus is on an urban layout mostly coinciding with the city of Madison's street grid. UW-Madison's campus includes many buildings designed or supervised by architects J. T. W. Jennings and Arthur Peabody. The hub of campus life is the Memorial Union. It also features the Allen Centennial Gardens and University of Wisconsin-Madison Lakeshore Nature Preserve.

Recent Enrollment Trends

This year, UW-Madison reached a record enrollment of 50,662 students, exceeding 50,000 for the first time. Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman noted positive signs in enrollment for the third straight year, with new freshman enrollment being particularly promising. Eight of 13 universities showed increases under the preliminary enrollments. The Universities of Wisconsin have been providing enrollment estimates based on Day One counts since fall 2020.

Read also: Enrollment at Notre Dame

Rothman said the numbers are a positive sign that Direct Admit Wisconsin is attracting new students to the universities. The program’s first cohort of students enrolled this fall. The Wisconsin Tuition Promise also appears to be making an impact, Rothman said. The Universities of Wisconsin serve approximately 164,400 students. Awarding nearly 36,000 degrees annually, these 13 public universities are Wisconsin’s talent pipeline, putting graduates in position to increase their earning power, contribute to their communities, and make Wisconsin a better place to live. Nearly 90 percent of in-state Universities of Wisconsin graduates stay in the state five years after earning a degree. The universities provide a 23:1 return on state investment. The Universities of Wisconsin also contribute to the richness of Wisconsin’s culture and economy with groundbreaking research, new companies and patents, and boundless creative intellectual energy.

However, it is important to note that significant declines in international students are a likely reason overall enrollment remained steady and did not increase.

Undergraduate Enrollment

In the fall of 2024, the total undergraduate enrollment at the University of Wisconsin-Madison was 39,083. The university has a student-faculty ratio of 18:1 and utilizes a semester-based academic calendar.

Admission Statistics

University of Wisconsin-Madison accepts the Common Application and has a test-optional admissions policy. For the Class of 2027 (enrolled Fall 2023), UW-Madison received 63,537 applications and accepted 27,527 (43.3%). Of those accepted, 7,966 enrolled, for a total yield rate (the percentage of accepted students who choose to attend the university) of 28.9%. The university started test-optional admissions with the Fall 2021 incoming class in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and has extended this through Fall 2024. Admission is need-blind for domestic applicants. The University of Wisconsin-Madison is a college-sponsor of the National Merit Scholarship Program and sponsored 10 Merit Scholarship awards in 2020.

Tuition and Financial Aid

In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, University of Wisconsin-Madison is ranked No. #36 in National Universities and No. #12 in Top Public Schools. The school's in-state tuition and fees are $12,166; out-of-state tuition and fees are $44,191. Twenty-nine percent of first-year students receive need-based financial aid, and the average net price for federal loan recipients is $16,834.

In 2023, the median undergraduate tuition at University of Wisconsin-Madison is $9,644, which is $21,360 less than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,004). After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $14,216. In 2023, 42% of undergraduate students attending University of Wisconsin-Madison received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 22% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Out-of-State Students

As the student population at UW-Madison continues to grow, so does the out-of-state student presence. In 2020, out-of-state students made up 48% of the student body, but that number rose to 51% in 2021. In the 2023-24 freshmen class, only 449 students came from Minnesota, while 695 came from Illinois.

For Bailey Valder, a UW-Madison junior from a primarily Jewish neighborhood in New York, a transition to Wisconsin meant searching for her place in a different culture. Alberti, another out-of-state student, said, “I really like being an out-of-state student. I like getting to know other people's cultures or lifestyles, and I think it's like fun when we compare how we pronounce words. I don't think I've ever seen so many people wear shorts when it’s 60 degrees." Reflecting on the travel necessary to come from another state, Alberti said the experience shaped her into a more independent person.

Diversity and Inclusion

The enrolled student population in the 2022-23 school year - the latest data available on underrepresented students - was 7.8% Asian, 6.6% Hispanic or Latino and 2.3% African American. The university is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment for all students.

In 2023, the enrolled student population at University of Wisconsin-Madison is 57.3% White, 9.26% Asian, 7.82% Hispanic or Latino, 4.39% Two or More Races, 2.68% Black or African American, 0.266% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0564% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Graduation and Retention Rates

The four-year graduation rate is 75%. Six years after graduation, the median salary for graduates is $61,275. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at University of Wisconsin-Madison was 95%.

In 2023, 69% of students graduating from University of Wisconsin-Madison completed their program within 100% "normal time". Comparatively, 89% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 90% within 200%. The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2023 at University of Wisconsin-Madison is Female and Asian (94.1% graduation rate).

Degrees Awarded

In 2023, 19,153 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at University of Wisconsin-Madison. 55.7% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 44.3% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (12,400 degrees), 8.79 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (1,411 degrees). In 2023, the most common bachelors degree concentration at University of Wisconsin-Madison was General Computer & Information Sciences with 864 degrees awarded.

Influence of the "Wisconsin Idea"

Research, teaching, and service at the UW is influenced by a tradition known as the "Wisconsin Idea", first articulated by UW-Madison President Charles Van Hise in 1904. The Wisconsin Idea holds that the boundaries of the university should be the boundaries of the state, and that the research conducted at UW-Madison should be applied to solve problems and improve health, quality of life, the environment, and agriculture for all citizens of the state.

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