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University of Washington vs University of Wisconsin-Madison

Odds, test scores, cost, aid and graduation rates, side by side from each school's own Common Data Set. Add more schools

Getting in

Acceptance rate41.7%40.8%
Early decision rateNo EDNo ED
SAT middle 50%1320–15021400–1490
ACT middle 50%30–3429–33
Applicant reports on our site493366

Cost and aid

Tuition$12,260 in-state$10,717 in-state
Tuition, out-of-state$43,494$44,232
Food and housing$18,405$14,994
Sticker price per year$63,045$60,925
Average need-based grant$21,532$34,828
Average % of need met74%92%

Outcomes

First-year retention95%96.3%
6-year graduation rate85%89.7%
Undergraduates40,99639,193

Best value in each row is highlighted. Sticker price uses out-of-state tuition for public universities and leaves out books, travel and aid. "—" means the school left the item blank in its Common Data Set.

University of Washington or University of Wisconsin-Madison?

Is University of Washington harder to get into than University of Wisconsin-Madison?

They are about equally selective: University of Washington admitted 41.7% of first-year applicants (2025-26) and University of Wisconsin-Madison admitted 40.8% (2025-26).

What SAT scores do University of Washington and University of Wisconsin-Madison students have?

The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1320–1502 at University of Washington and 1400–1490 at University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Which is cheaper, University of Washington or University of Wisconsin-Madison?

Before aid, University of Wisconsin-Madison costs about $60,925 a year in tuition, fees, food and housing, against $63,045 at University of Washington (out-of-state tuition for public universities). The average need-based grant is $21,532 at University of Washington and $34,828 at University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Does University of Washington or University of Wisconsin-Madison have a higher graduation rate?

85% of University of Washington students graduate within six years, compared with 89.7% at University of Wisconsin-Madison.

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