University of Wisconsin-Madison

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at UW Madison was $9,273 a year for in-state students and $37,904 a year for out-of-state students.

On average, colleges raise tuition about 3% each year.

If this makes attending the college of your dreams sound impossible, remember, the total cost of tuition isn't necessarily what you will have to pay to attend a school. Many students find the actual cost of college is much less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are applied. Plus, student loans can make the amount you do have to pay out of pocket more manageable until after graduation.

Tuition for international students at University of Wisconsin-Madison is $38,904 per year.

University of Wisconsin-Madison meets 81% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student at University of Wisconsin-Madison is around $20,697 a year.

The average student debt for graduates in the class of 2023 was around $27,495 per student, not including those with no debt.

In-state vs. Out-of-state Tuition at University of Wisconsin-Madison

University of Wisconsin-Madison is a public, state institution, which means it offers a reduced tuition rate of $9,273 for in-state students who attend full-time. For non-Wisconsin residents, out-of-state tuition is $37,904 a year.

Public schools receive funds from the state to help them cover costs. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state status can cut the cost of college tuition. Take the time to check your state's guidelines for how to qualify for in-state residency. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. Most states require students to have resided in the state for a certain period of time before qualifying. There may be other criteria too, depending on where you live.

Explore other Wisconsin colleges

Is University of Wisconsin-Madison's Tuition Different for International Students?

Tuition at UW Madison is higher for international students than it is for out-of-state students.

International students at University of Wisconsin-Madison can expect to pay around $38,904 per year, before any scholarships or financial aid.

Students from outside of the U.S. are not eligible for federal financial aid, but may be eligible for private or University of Wisconsin-Madison-specific aid and scholarships.

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University of Wisconsin-Madison Housing Expenses, Fees, and More

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Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at University of Wisconsin-Madison.

House and Food Costs at University of Wisconsin-Madison

Room and board at University of Wisconsin-Madison is $12,894 a year. This number covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a meal plan that allows you to eat in the University of Wisconsin-Madison's on-campus cafeterias and dining facilities.

Board costs vary based on on the number of meals you intend to eat on-campus

Cost of Books at University of Wisconsin-Madison

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The actual cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and the materials required. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Annual Fees

Most schools also have fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

There may be other costs associated with participating in certain activities, like Greek Life, or playing on an intramural sports team. Most colleges have resources for students with demonstrated need to get help covering these fees.

Transportation costs

The cost of transportation in college can really vary. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Is on-campus parking free, or will you need to budget for parking? Is the campus walkable? Do you own a car, or are you planning to use public transportation? All of these questions can drastically impact your transportation budget. Keeping in mind, first-year students are not allowed to park a car on campus.

Where are a college is located can impact the amount you'll have to spend just to get around. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, getting around in an urban area may be expensive, but there may be more buses, trains or low-cost flight options to actually get to school. University of Wisconsin-Madisonis in a city in Wisconsin, not far from Milwaukee.

Other Costs

When you're planning for college, don’t forget to factor in personal expenses, like going out to eat or see shows, furnishing your living space, and things like haircuts, clothes and, yes, even toilet paper and shampoo.

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The Full Cost of Attending University of Wisconsin-Madison

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Now, let’s look at the breakdown of all expenses, to get a better idea of how much students can expect to shell out for University of Wisconsin-Madison.

How Much Does University of Wisconsin-Madison Cost?

What will the cost of attending University of Wisconsin-Madison be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition	$9,273
Out-of-State Tuition	$37,904
Room and Board	$12,894
Other expenses	$2,438

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

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Financial Aid at University of Wisconsin-Madison

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In 2023, 10,405 of the 37,230 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. University of Wisconsin-Madison meets 81% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $20,697 a year. Around 37% of University of Wisconsin-Madison undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. University of Wisconsin-Madison graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $27,495 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$19,265
University of Wisconsin-Madison-Specific Loans	$8,206
Private Loans	$37,057

Most Common Loans for University of Wisconsin-Madison Students
Federal Loans	35%
Institutional Loans	3%
Private loans	9%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on University of Wisconsin-Madison financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at University of Wisconsin-Madison

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, University of Wisconsin-Madison awarded 8,670 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $152.7 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $37.93 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

University of Wisconsin-Madison Net Cost

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for University of Wisconsin-Madison students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at University of Wisconsin-Madison was $20,697 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of University of Wisconsin-Madison seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus	$-14,115.96
Net In-state, Off-campus	$-6,460.96
Out-of-State, On-Campus	$35,212.04

Note: a negative number can indicate that a refund will be given to use toward other expenses such as housing, fees, and books. In such cases, be sure to reach out to the school directly for any clarification or questions.

What will attending University of Wisconsin-Madison really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families understand the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the University of Wisconsin-Madison's net cost calculator on their website.

University of Wisconsin-Madison Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

Does UW Madison Offer Tuition Waivers?

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to reduce the total cost of attendance. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

University of Wisconsin-Madison's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

University of Wisconsin-Madison's endowment was valued at $3.5 billion in 2023, compared to a national average of $905 million.

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Learn More About University of Wisconsin-Madison

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