Is Wisconsin test optional?

We haven't confirmed Wisconsin's test policy for 2026–27. Check their admissions site; many colleges have changed their policy since 2020.

What is Wisconsin's acceptance rate?

45% of applicants were admitted in 2025–26, according to the college's Common Data Set or, where that's missing, IPEDS, the federal college survey. In fall 2024, 29,782 of 65,894 applicants were admitted. Applications rose 135%, from 28,007 in 2015 to 65,894 in 2024, and Wisconsin's admit rate went from 58% to 45%.

What ACT score do you need for Wisconsin?

29% of first-year students sent an ACT, and they scored 29–33, with a median of 31. On the official ACT–SAT concordance, their SAT range of 1400–1490 works out to about 31–34.

What GPA do you need for Wisconsin?

There's no published cutoff. First-year students averaged a 3.91 high school GPA, and 58% of those who reported a class rank were in their top 10%, per the Common Data Set 2025–26. Colleges compute GPA differently, so compare it loosely.

How many students get off the waitlist at Wisconsin?

1,088 of the 4,317 students who stayed on the waitlist were admitted, or 25%, per the Common Data Set 2025–26.

All colleges

What SAT score do you need for Wisconsin? (Middle 50%: 1400–1490)

First-year students at Wisconsin who sent an SAT scored 1400–1490, with a median of 1450 (Common Data Set 2025–26). Wisconsin admits 45% of applicants.

University of Wisconsin-Madison · Madison, WI

Where your score lands at Wisconsin

First-year students who sent an SAT: 1400–1490, median 1450

Your score

Middle 50% of admitted students Median

Enter your SAT or ACT to see which tier Wisconsin is for you and whether to send your score.

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Wisconsin by the numbers

Admit rate: 45%
Middle 50% SAT: 1400–1490
Median SAT: 1450
About on the ACT: 31–34
Sent an SAT: 12%

Test policy not confirmed for 2026–27 · SAT range from the Common Data Set, 2025–26; admit rate from it or IPEDS

Wisconsin admit rate over 10 years

Applications rose 135%, from 28,007 in 2015 to 65,894 in 2024, and Wisconsin's admit rate went from 58% to 45%.

Show the numbers

Fall	Applied	Admitted	Admit rate
2024	65,894	29,782	45%
2023	63,505	27,529	43%
2022	60,214	29,539	49%
2021	53,781	32,459	60%
2020	45,915	26,286	57%
2019	43,896	23,886	54%
2018	42,727	22,104	52%
2017	35,596	19,153	54%
2016	32,839	17,281	53%
2015	28,007	16,134	58%

In fall 2024, 8,514 of the 29,782 admitted students enrolled. Applicants and admits from IPEDS, the federal college survey, by fall of entry.

What each SAT score means at Wisconsin

Which tier your score puts them in, and whether it's worth sending.

Your SATTierSend it?*

Under 1350Far reachHold
1350–1390ReachHold
1400–1440TargetHold
1450 and upTargetSend

1250135014501550

Tiers here use only your SAT and their admit rate. Essays, activities and recommendations still decide most admissions at selective colleges. *Send it? assumes they're test optional; we haven't confirmed their policy.

Wisconsin SAT sections, ACT, GPA and class rank

Scores of enrolled first-year students who sent one, by percentile.

Test	25th	Median	75th
SAT Math	700	740	780
SAT Reading and Writing	680	710	740
SAT total	1400	1450	1490
ACT composite	29	31	33

Of enrolled first-year students, 12% sent an SAT and 29% sent an ACT. Common Data Set 2025–26.

Average high school GPA: 3.91; 94% of new students reported one
Top 10% of their class: 58%; of new students who reported a rank

Wisconsin waitlist

Waitlist

6,476 applicants were offered a spot, 4,317 took it, and 1,088 were admitted from it.

25%of students who stayed on the waitlist got in

Common Data Set 2025–26.

Wisconsin cost and outcomes

What students pay after grants, how many finish, and what they earn.

Average net price: $17,354; per year, after grants
Graduate in 6 years: 90%
Median earnings: $73,792; 10 years after starting
Undergraduates: 41,069

College Scorecard, 2022–23, from the US Department of Education. Net price averages federal-aid students across family incomes.

Colleges like Wisconsin

Similar SAT ranges and admit rates.

More colleges in Wisconsin

Every college for an SAT of1400 1450 1490

Sources

Wisconsin Common Data Set 2025–26
SAT and ACT ranges, early decision, waitlist, GPA and class rank, as the college reported them.
College Navigator (IPEDS)
Applications, admissions and enrollment by year, from the federal college survey.
College Scorecard
Net price, graduation rate and earnings, from the US Department of Education.
Wisconsin website
University of Wisconsin-Madison

Updated Nov 9, 2026. Spot a number that's off? Email support@tryashore.com and we'll check it against the source.

Questions

Still have a question? support@tryashore.com

There's no cutoff. The middle 50% of first-year students who sent an SAT scored 1400–1490, and the median was 1450. At 1450 or higher you're above half of them. Wisconsin admits 45% of applicants.

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SAT Math · 1 of 5

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A jacket's price is increased by 20% and then the new price is decreased by 20%. The final price is what percent of the original price?

A $96\%$
B $100\%$
C $104\%$
D $80\%$