UW-Madison Student Population Demographics: A Comprehensive Overview

The University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison), a public land-grant research university, has a diverse student body. This article examines the demographic composition of the student population, including enrollment, race and ethnicity, tuition costs, and other relevant factors.

General Overview

UW-Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System, established in 1848 when Wisconsin achieved statehood. The university is organized into 13 schools and colleges. In 2023, the university reached a record enrollment of 49,605 students.

Enrollment Statistics

In 2023, UW-Madison had a total enrollment of 49,605 students. A significant majority, 90.6%, were enrolled full-time, totaling 44,928 students, while the remaining 4,677 students were enrolled part-time. This full-time enrollment rate is higher compared to similar Doctoral Universities, where the average is 77.9%.

Retention Rate

The retention rate, which measures the number of first-time students returning for their second year, was 95% for full-time undergraduates. This is higher than the average retention rate of 84% for similar Doctoral Universities.

Race and Ethnicity

The racial and ethnic composition of the student body is as follows:

White: 57.3%
Asian: 9.26%
Hispanic or Latino: 7.82%
Two or More Races: 4.39%
Black or African American: 2.68%
American Indian or Alaska Native: 0.266%
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders: 0.0564%

Compared to all Doctoral Universities, UW-Madison has a higher percentage of White students (57.3% vs. 46.5%) and a lower percentage of Hispanic or Latino (7.82% vs. 15.9%) and Black or African American students (2.68% vs. 9.78%).

Race and Ethnicity in Degree Recipients

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity among degree recipients was White, with 12,400 degrees awarded. This is 8.79 times more than the next closest group, Asian, with 1,411 degrees.

White: 12,400 degrees awarded
Asian: 1,411 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino: 1,099 degrees awarded

Sex Breakdown by Race and Ethnicity

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at UW-Madison is White Female, with 7,279 degrees awarded. White males received 5,121 degrees, and Asian females received 756 degrees.

Geographic Diversity

UW-Madison has a considerable presence of out-of-state and international students.

37.87% of students come from out of state.
8.38% of students come from out of the country.

The undergraduate student body represents 44 states.

Read also: UW-Madison Tuition Requirements

Age Diversity

UW-Madison demonstrates a good ability to attract students of all ages, with a student age diversity score of 72.24 out of 100.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Tuition Costs

In 2023, the median undergraduate tuition at UW-Madison was $9,644, which is $21,360 less than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,004).

Average Net Price

The average net price, which factors in grants and loans, was $14,216 in 2023. This represents a 6.28% increase from 2022.

Financial Aid

In 2023, 42% of undergraduate students received financial aid through grants, while 22% received financial aid through loans. This is a decline of 12.5% compared to 2022, when 48% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

Student Loan Default Rate

In 2021, the default rate for borrowers at UW-Madison was 0%, with 0 out of 4,711 total borrowers defaulting.

Read also: GPA Insights: UW-Madison

Admissions

Acceptance Rate

In 2023, UW-Madison received 63,505 undergraduate applications and accepted 27,529 students, resulting in an acceptance rate of 43.3%. This is lower than the 2022 acceptance rate of 49.1%. The university has an overall enrollment yield of 28.9%.

SAT Scores

In 2023, 14% of enrolled first-time students submitted SAT scores with their applications.

Graduates

In 2023, UW-Madison awarded 19,153 degrees across all undergraduate and graduate programs. Women received 55.7% of these degrees, while men received 44.3%. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was White, with 12,400 degrees awarded.

Time to Complete

In 2023, 69% of students graduated within 100% of the "normal time" (i.e., 4 years for a 4-year degree). 89% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 90% within 200%.

Graduation Rate by Race and Sex

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2023 was Female and Asian (94.1%).

Majors Awarded

In 2023, the most common bachelor's degree concentration at UW-Madison was General Computer & Information Sciences, with 864 degrees awarded. The most specialized majors, with significantly more degrees awarded than the national average, include Cultural & Gender Studies (708 degrees), Natural Resources & Conservation (531 degrees), and Language & Linguistics (457 degrees).

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

In 2023, 8,484 degrees were awarded to men and 10,669 degrees were awarded to women at UW-Madison. The most common major for men was General Computer & Information Sciences (1,011 degrees), while the most common major for women was General Psychology (495 degrees).

Campus and Traditions

UW-Madison's campus is situated on the Madison Isthmus between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona. The main campus spans 933 acres, with the entire campus, including research stations, covering over 10,600 acres. The campus includes four National Historic Landmarks. Bascom Hall, at the top of Bascom Hill, is considered the "heart of the campus." The Memorial Union, located on the shore of Lake Mendota, is a popular spot for socializing.

The Wisconsin Idea

Research, teaching, and service at UW-Madison are influenced by the "Wisconsin Idea," which holds that the boundaries of the university should be the boundaries of the state. Research conducted at UW-Madison should be applied to solve problems and improve the quality of life for all citizens of the state.

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