University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Public
- Research university
University of Wisconsin-Madison: international tuition 42,103 USD per year, one-year total cost ≈ 59,179 USD, acceptance rate 45.2%. Need-based aid is not open to international students. Published minimum English scores: IELTS 6.5, Duolingo 115.
UW–Madison offers almost no financial aid to first-year international students, and general scholarships are very unlikely. The notable exception is King-Morgridge (full ride, need-based, open to Vietnamese students, six spots a year, Early Action).
Getting in. The school admits 45.2% of applicants. Admitted students scored around Reading and Writing 670–740, Math 710–780, ACT 29–33. The SAT and ACT are optional: a score counts if you send one, and you can still apply without it. For English, the school asks for IELTS 6.5+ or Duolingo 115+.
Cost for a year. One year comes to about 59,179 USD, before any scholarship. 3 scholarships are confirmed for international students, but nothing is taken off yet because the amount of each one is not clear.
Deadline and visa. The application deadline for fall is 1/11. You apply through Universities of Wisconsin Application. How long the visa takes is up to the consulate; see the country note.
Admissions checked 13/10/2026
What is the tuition at University of Wisconsin-Madison?
International tuition is 42,103 USD per year. The total cost for one year is ≈ 59,179 USD.
Does University of Wisconsin-Madison offer scholarships for international students?
Need-based aid is not open to international students. UW–Madison offers almost no financial aid to first-year international students, and general scholarships are very unlikely. The notable exception is King-Morgridge (full ride, need-based, open to Vietnamese students, six spots a year, Early Action).
What English scores does University of Wisconsin-Madison require?
Published minimum English scores: IELTS 6.5, Duolingo 115.
What is the acceptance rate at University of Wisconsin-Madison?
The acceptance rate is 45.2%.
- Pay in fullYesPay in fullOnce admitted you can enrol straight away — no scholarship decision to wait for.Your family covers all tuition and living costs for every year of the degree.You will need: your application and proof that your family can pay — the school needs it to issue your visa documents.
- Aid with the offerUnclearAid with the offerThe school decides aid while reviewing your application, so any need-based or merit award arrives with the offer.The school's official pages do not say whether international students get aid at admission — worth asking the admissions office directly.
- Apply separately for scholarshipsYesApply separately for scholarshipsOn top of the admission application, you send a separate scholarship application or get nominated.Win a scholarship and the cost drops; if not, you can still enrol and pay in full.You will need: a scholarship application (or nomination) by its own deadline, usually earlier than the admission deadline.
For Vietnamese students
Vietnamese community nearby
Country or region-specific scholarships
King-Morgridge Scholars ProgramCountry or region specificCountry or region specificReserved for students from specific countries or regions.Separate application requiredSchool page
Award: Four-year full-tuition scholarship including tuition and fees, room and board, health insurance, airfare, and a stipend for miscellaneous expenses
Vietnam is on the eligible Southeast Asia country list, so Vietnamese students may apply (high financial need must be shown).
Deadline: Early Action application Nov 1; King-Morgridge application in WiSH Nov 15; decisions by end of March. Six students admitted per year.
Students on campus lifeiPublic YouTube videos by students and the school, matched to this school's name; Vietnamese videos first. Each reflects its creator's own view.
- Ashleigh Christy2023Vlog
- 카이월드 KAIworld2023Vlog
- Ashleigh Christy2023Vlog
Contact
Tuition and cost for a year
Compared with 375 public United States schools with published tuition in Duckling's data.
What a year costs
Non-resident tuition (College Scorecard); international students pay at least this, some schools add an international fee.
VND converted at Vietcombank's selling rate on 15/10/2026; indicative only — the real amount depends on the rate when you pay.
Scholarships and aid for international students
- Is merit considered automatically with the application?UnclearThe page says international students with a NetID are automatically considered for scholarships, but it does not say they are merit-based and a first-year award is unlikely, so Unclear.
- Is admission need-blind for international applicants?UnclearThe pages provided say nothing about whether admission decisions for international applicants take ability to pay into account.
- Is the CSS Profile or a school aid form required?UnclearThe pages mention the CSS Profile only generally for Spring 2027 entrants, not clearly for international students. King-Morgridge needs a separate WiSH application, but that is just one scholarship.
Scholarships at this school
General UW–Madison scholarships via WiSH (automatic consideration and separate applications)OtherOtherDoes not fit the groups above; see the scholarship page for conditions.Application method unclearSchool page
The page says international students are eligible for many scholarships, but warns a first-year award is very unlikely.
Deadline: Most open in November and close by February 1
King-Morgridge Scholars ProgramCountry or region specificCountry or region specificReserved for students from specific countries or regions.Separate application requiredSchool page
Award: Four-year full-tuition scholarship including tuition and fees, room and board, health insurance, airfare, and a stipend for miscellaneous expenses
Vietnam is on the eligible Southeast Asia country list, so Vietnamese students may apply (high financial need must be shown).
Deadline: Early Action application Nov 1; King-Morgridge application in WiSH Nov 15; decisions by end of March. Six students admitted per year.
UW–Madison scholarships via Wisconsin Scholarship Hub (WiSH)OtherOtherDoes not fit the groups above; see the scholarship page for conditions.Application method unclearSchool page
The page says international students are eligible for many scholarships, but warns that a first-year award is very unlikely.
Deadline: Most WiSH applications for incoming students close by February 1 or earlier
Western Union ScholarshipIntl eligibility unclearThe school does not say whether international students can get this scholarship, so “Cost for a year” at the top does not subtract it. Ask the school before counting on it.OtherOtherDoes not fit the groups above; see the scholarship page for conditions.Considered automatically with the admission applicationSchool page
Open to international students from underrepresented countries, but no country list is given, so it is unclear whether Vietnam qualifies.
- First year only
Admission requirements
Compared with 349 United States schools that publish an application fee in Duckling's data.
SAT / ACT of enrolled students
English
Application requirements
- High-school transcriptiCourse and grade information for grades 9–12 is required, self-reported or via official transcript.Required
- Teacher recommendationiOne recommendation letter from a teacher, counselor or faculty member who can attest to your academics is required.Required
- English proficiencyiApplicants educated in non-English-speaking countries must submit an official TOEFL, IELTS or DET score unless waived.Required
- SATACTiSAT/ACT scores are optional.Optional
- EssaysiThe application has two essays, including a school-specific prompt on why you chose UW–Madison and your major.Required
How to apply
Minimum English scores vs other schools
Compared with 190 United States schools admitting 40–70% that publish it in Duckling's data.
Deadlines
- Spring Regular Decision materials deadline (RD)Documentsabout0days
- Fall first-year Early Action application deadline (EA)Application+17 days
- Fall Early Action materials deadline (EA)Documents+25 days
- Spring Regular Decision release (on or before) (RD)Decision+77 days
- Fall Regular Decision application deadline (RD)Application+92 days
- Fall Regular Decision materials deadline (RD)Documents+99 days
- Early Action decision release (on or before) (EA)Decision+108 days
- Fall Regular Decision release (on or before) (RD)Decision+167 days
- National deadline to commit to enrollDeposit+198 days
AP credit by subject
Lowest score that earns credit or placement, as the college reported to College Board. This is not an admission requirement. One exam can have several rows: a higher score sometimes earns more credit. Policy page the college gave College Board
74 courses. Scroll inside the table to see all.
Programs
* U.S. median for this field — the school publishes no figure of its own.
Outcomes
Staying in United States after graduation
OPT: 12 months of work in your field after each degree level; degrees on the DHS STEM list can extend by 24 months (up to 36 months in total). Unemployment during OPT is capped at 90 days (150 days with the STEM extension). Note: on 8 October 2026 DHS published a PROPOSED rule charging USD 70,000 for initial OPT and USD 30,000 for later OPT; it is not in force, and comments close on 9 November 2026.
Climate
School & campus
Where the school is
Detailed map
Academics & housing
Why this school is listed: one of the 50 U.S. schools with the most international undergraduates (College Scorecard). Source
Updated 11/10/2026How Duckling sources data