A new way to tour UW-Madison
A typical UW-Madison tour can feel impersonal, leaving you with more questions than answers. You’re just a face in the crowd following a scripted tour led by a guide the school assigns you.
SchoolScoops offers private University of Wisconsin tours tailored to your interests. Choose your own UW-Madison student tour guide and enjoy a personalized campus visit where you'll get candid answers to your questions.
SchoolScoops is the more personal way to tour University of Wisconsin
Private and personalized UW-Madison tours
On a traditional University of Wisconsin campus tour you’re just a number in a big group. With SchoolScoops, you can book a private University of Wisconsin tour led by a real UW-Madison student, giving you a personalized campus visit and the chance to ask all the questions that are important to you.
Choose your own tour guide
Unlike a traditional University of Wisconsin campus tour, SchoolScoops lets you choose your own tour guide. Whether you want to meet an engineering major, a student-athlete or a fellow transfer student, you'll get authentic insights and advice from someone who truly gets you.
No scripts, just scoops
Traditional University of Wisconsin campus tours are essentially a sales pitch—the tour guide works for the school and their job is to show you the highlights. SchoolScoops guides don’t work for their school, so there’s no sales pitch—just honest, unfiltered advice about the UW-Madison experience.
Find out if UW-Madison is the school for you
Choosing where to go to college is a major decision and a huge investment. A private UW-Madison tour helps you decide if University of Wisconsin is the right fit for your academic goals, career ambitions and college experience.
Can't make it to campus?
Book a 1-on-1 video chat with a UW-Madison student for personalized insights. Learn about academics, campus culture, and Madison life without leaving home.
Book a video chat
Real feedback on student-led campus tours
Get to know University of Wisconsin
The University of Washington is a top public research university that fosters academic excellence in sciences, technology, business, and the humanities, grounded in a strong commitment to innovation, public service, and global impact.
Overview
The University of Wisconsin–Madison, founded in 1848, is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin. It offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate programs across 13 schools and colleges.
Size
The University of Wisconsin–Madison has a total enrollment of approximately 48,000 students, including around 36,000 undergraduates and 12,000 graduate and professional students.
Acceptance rate
The University of Wisconsin–Madison has an acceptance rate of around 49%. Among admitted students who submitted test scores, half have an SAT score between 1340–1510 or an ACT score between 28–33.
Cost
For the 2024 academic year, undergraduate tuition at the University of Wisconsin–Madison is approximately $11,200 for in-state students and $40,400 for out-of-state students, with graduate tuition varying by program. About 60% of undergraduates receive financial aid, with an average need-based scholarship or grant award of around $11,000.
Ranking
According to U.S. News, the University of Wisconsin–Madison is ranked #35 out of 436 National Universities, based on its performance across a set of widely accepted indicators of academic excellence.
Academics
The University of Wisconsin–Madison offers over 230 undergraduate majors and certificates, along with a wide range of master’s, doctoral, and professional programs across its 13 schools and colleges. It maintains a student-to-faculty ratio of 18:1, supporting a collaborative and engaging academic environment.
Traditions
The University of Wisconsin–Madison’s most beloved traditions include Jump Around at Camp Randall Stadium, the Fifth Quarter performance by the UW Marching Band, rubbing the nose of the Abraham Lincoln statue for good luck, the Memorial Union Terrace gatherings, and the annual Wisconsin Welcome events for new students.
Campus landmarks
The University of Wisconsin–Madison’s most iconic landmarks include Bascom Hill and Bascom Hall, the Memorial Union and its lakeside Terrace, the Camp Randall Stadium, the Chazen Museum of Art, and the Henry Mall—each showcasing the university’s rich history, vibrant campus life, and scenic location along Lake Mendota.
Student body
Over 60% of University of Wisconsin–Madison students are from within Wisconsin, though the university also attracts a large number of out-of-state students, with strong representation from Illinois, Minnesota, California, New York, and New Jersey, contributing to a diverse and nationally representative student body.
Become a SchoolScoops guide
In college? Earn $40/hour hosting 1-on-1 campus tours and video chats with future students.
Become a guideYour University of Wisconsin questions, answered
What grades do I need for UW-Madison?
While there's no exact cutoff, students accepted to UW-Madison typically have strong high school grades, often with unweighted GPAs above 3.7. Taking challenging courses and performing well in them is important.
What's student life like at UW-Madison?
Student life at UW-Madison is very active and spirited, with a strong sense of community. Students enjoy a huge number of clubs, a lively Greek scene, and passionate support for their "Badgers" sports teams, especially during football and hockey seasons.
What are the most popular majors at UW-Madison?
Some of the most popular majors at UW-Madison include Computer Sciences, Biology, Economics, Political Science, and various Engineering fields. Its School of Business and College of Letters & Science are also highly regarded.
How do I take an admissions campus tour of UW-Madison?
To visit UW-Madison, you can sign up for an official campus tour. These typically include an information session and a guided walk led by a current student, showing off key areas and student life. Find details and register on their admissions website.
What are the dorms like at UW-Madison?
UW-Madison offers many on-campus housing options, from traditional residence halls to newer facilities, often grouped into neighborhoods. Living in the dorms, especially for first-year students, helps them connect with peers and get involved in campus activities
What is the "Wisconsin Idea"?
The "Wisconsin Idea" is a core principle of UW-Madison, stating that the university's research and knowledge should benefit all citizens of the state and beyond. It emphasizes public service and applying academic work to real-world problems.
How do students get around Madison from campus?
UW-Madison's campus is very walkable, and many students use bikes. The city of Madison also has an excellent public bus system (Metro Transit) that students can use with their ID, making it easy to travel between campus areas and downtown.
What kind of jobs do UW-Madison graduates get?
UW-Madison graduates have strong career prospects, finding jobs in diverse sectors like technology, healthcare, business, and government, often in Wisconsin and major cities across the U.S. The university's strong alumni network and career services help with job placement.
Does UW-Madison offer private campus tours?
Yes, through SchoolScoops, you can book a private campus tour led by a student guide of your choice.
Interested in other schools?
SchoolScoops also offers tours and video chats at many other schools
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