University of Wisconsin-Madison Acceptance Rate: Class of 2030 Admissions Statistics

The University of Wisconsin-Madison received a record 73,912 freshman applications for the Class of 2029, admitting 30,167 students for an overall acceptance rate of 40.81%.

For the Class of 2030, UW-Madison has not yet released overall admissions data. Early Action (EA) and Regular Decision (RD) acceptance rates are also not publicly disclosed by the university for any class.

In this blog, we’ll walk through UW-Madison’s latest available overall, waitlist, and transfer acceptance rates and see how they’ve changed over time.

• University of Wisconsin-Madison Acceptance Rates
• University of Wisconsin-Madison Early and Regular Acceptance Rate
• University of Wisconsin-Madison Transfer Acceptance Rate
• University of Wisconsin-Madison Waitlist Acceptance Rate
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

University of Wisconsin-Madison Acceptance Rates

The University of Wisconsin-Madison’s overall acceptance rate for the Class of 2029 was 40.81%, a notable drop from the 45.17% recorded for the Class of 2028. This shift was driven by a surge in applications, rising from 65,933 to 73,912, while the number of admitted students held relatively steady at around 30,000.

However, UW-Madison’s overall acceptance rate has trended downward over the past decade, falling from above 55% to below 45% in recent years. Here’s the complete breakdown:

Note: All data has been compiled from UW-Madison’s “Trends in Applications, Admissions, and Enrollments” publication. 

Applications grew steadily from 35,615 for the Class of 2021 to a record 73,912 for the Class of 2029, more than doubling over that period.

The number of admitted students has fluctuated more narrowly, between roughly 19,000 and 32,000, but that combination of surging demand and constrained admit numbers drove the acceptance rate down from 53.77% for the Class of 2021 to 40.81% for the Class of 2029.

The notable exception was the Class of 2025, when the acceptance rate climbed to 60.31% amid pandemic-era uncertainty that briefly softened application volume.

University of Wisconsin-Madison Early and Regular Acceptance Rate

UW-Madison does not publicly disclose acceptance rate data for its EA and RD rounds. Unlike schools that report this breakdown in their Common Data Set, UW-Madison releases only overall admissions figures, so no official EA or RD rates are available for any class.

That said, as a general pattern across selective universities, EA applicants tend to be admitted at higher rates than the overall pool, while RD rates typically fall below it. This reflects the demonstrated interest and stronger application readiness that early applicants tend to bring.

Students who want to learn more about UW-Madison’s EA and RD process can visit the university’s official admissions page.

University of Wisconsin-Madison Transfer Acceptance Rate

The most recent available UW-Madison transfer data comes from Fall 2024, with an acceptance rate of 55.51%. Here’s the breakdown:

Note: Fall 2024 transfer data is from UW-Madison’s Common Data Set for 2024-2025, the same reporting year that includes Class of 2028 first-year admissions data.

UW-Madison’s transfer acceptance rate is considerably more generous than its first-year rate. The 55.51% transfer rate is notably higher than the 45.17% overall acceptance rate for first-year applicants in the same cycle, suggesting that transfer students who meet UW-Madison’s academic standards have a strong chance of gaining admission.

University of Wisconsin-Madison Waitlist Acceptance Rate

The most recent waitlist data comes from the Class of 2028, when UW-Madison admitted 493 students off the waitlist. Here’s the breakdown:

Note: Waitlist data is from UW-Madison’s Common Data Set for 2024-2025, the same reporting year that includes Class of 2028 first-year admissions data.

It is worth noting that the 6.45% waitlist acceptance rate is calculated against confirmed students rather than the total number waitlisted. Of the 12,584 students placed on the waitlist, only 7,644 chose to remain on it, and 493 were ultimately admitted.

Students offered a spot on UW-Madison’s waitlist should keep in mind that outcomes vary significantly from year to year. For instance, for the Class of 2027, 4,436 students were admitted from a confirmed waitlist pool of 7,221, a rate of roughly 61%. That stands in sharp contrast to the 6.45% rate for Fall 2024, reflecting how heavily waitlist decisions depend on enrollment needs in any given cycle. 

If you find yourself on UW-Madison’s waitlist, AdmissionSight’s Ad Hoc Consulting program offers targeted waitlist assistance to help you put your best foot forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s current acceptance rate?

The most recent confirmed acceptance rate is 40.81% for the Class of 2029. The University of Wisconsin-Madison received 73,912 applications and admitted 30,167 students.

2. Is it easier to get into the University of Wisconsin-Madison through Early Action or Regular Decision?

The University of Wisconsin-Madison does not release EA or RD acceptance rates publicly. However, EA applicants generally fare better than RD applicants at most universities.

3. How hard is it to transfer to the University of Wisconsin-Madison?

Transferring to the University of Wisconsin-Madison is generally more accessible than first-year admission. For Fall 2024, 2,507 out of 4,516 transfer applicants were admitted, a 55.51% transfer acceptance rate.

4. What are my chances of getting off the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s waitlist?

It depends heavily on the year. For the Class of 2028, only 493 of 7,644 confirmed waitlisted students were admitted, a 6.45% rate. For the Class of 2027, that figure jumped to 4,436 out of 7,221, roughly 61%. Waitlist outcomes at UW-Madison vary widely depending on enrollment needs.

5. Why has the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s acceptance rate dropped?

The University of Wisconsin-Madison’s acceptance rate has fallen steadily as application volume has grown. The university received 35,615 applications for the Class of 2021 and 73,912 for the Class of 2029, more than doubling in eight years, while the number of admitted students has grown at a much slower pace.

Takeaways

• The University of Wisconsin-Madison’s acceptance rate has become increasingly competitive, falling from 53.77% for the Class of 2021 to 40.81% for the Class of 2029 as applications more than doubled over that period.
• UW-Madison does not publicly disclose EA and RD acceptance rates, but EA applicants are generally admitted at higher rates than the overall pool at most selective universities.
• Transfer applicants have a considerably stronger chance of admission, with a 55.51% transfer acceptance rate for Fall 2024, well above the first-year rate of 45.17% for the same cycle.
• Waitlist outcomes at UW-Madison vary widely year to year, from a 6.45% admit rate for the Class of 2028 to roughly 61% for the Class of 2027, depending on enrollment needs.
• With UW-Madison drawing a record 73,912 applications for the Class of 2029, standing out in the applicant pool matters more than ever. Working with a college admissions expert can help you build a stronger application and present your best case to the admissions committee.