University of Wisconsin-Madison

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at University of Wisconsin-Madison was $10,796 a year for in-state students and $39,427 a year for out-of-state students.

Usually, college tuition rises about 3% year.

Remember, the "sticker price" of tuition doesn't always give you enough information to determine the actual cost of attending any given college. Many students owe far less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are awarded. Plus, student loans can make thecost of college feel more doable until you're done with college.

Tuition for international students at University of Wisconsin-Madison is $40,428 per year.

Does University of Wisconsin-Madison Offer In-State and Out-of-State Tuition?

University of Wisconsin-Madison is a public, state institution, so it offers a reduced tuition rate of $10,796 for in-state students who attend full-time.Non-Wisconsin residents can expect to pay 39,427 per year for tuition.

Public schools receive funds from the state to help them cover costs. These institutions offer a lower cost of attendance for students who are residents of that state.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state tuition can cut the cost of college tuition. Don't forget to check your state's rules for in-state tuition. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. The most common requirement is that students must have lived in the state for a full year before starting school. There may be additional requirements too, depending on where you live.

Explore other Wisconsin colleges

Do International Students Pay More to Go to University of Wisconsin-Madison?

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

International students at University of Wisconsin-Madison usually pay around $40,428 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 school-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities..

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University of Wisconsin-Madison Room, Board, Fees, and More

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In addition to the cost of tuition, 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 UW Madison.

Room and Board Costs at UW Madison

Housing and campus dining at UW Madison costs $12,894 a year. This number covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a dining plan that allows you to eat in the school dining facilities.

Meal-plan costs vary based on on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

How Much Do Books Cost at UW Madison?

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

Yearly Fees

The majority of colleges also have fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

Keep in mind, there could also be additional fees associated with participating in certain activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or playing on an intramural sports team. Most colleges have resources so that those with demonstrated need to find ways to lower or eliminate these costs.

Transportation costs

The cost of getting around in college depends on a few key factors. 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 easy to get around on foot? Do you own a car, or will you need to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these factors can make a big difference in your transportation budget. At UW Madison, freshman are not allowed to park on campus.

The location of a college or university can also have a big effect on your transportation budget. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the other hand transportation in an urban area may be pricey, but there may be more trains, busses and low-cost flight options to actually get to school. The University of Wisconsin-Madison campus is in a urban setting in Wisconsin, near Milwaukee.

Other Costs

When you're planning for college, don’t forget to consider the cost of things like entertainment, clothes, furnishings and toiletries.

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The Full Cost of Attending University of Wisconsin-Madison

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Now, let’s do a rundown of all of the costs associated with college, to get a better estimate of how much students can expect to shell out for UW Madison.

How Much Does UW Madison Cost?

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

2022 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition	$10,796
Out-of-State Tuition	$39,427
Room and Board	$12,894
Other expenses	$2,290

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 2022, 10,034 of the 35,474 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. UW Madison meets 80% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $22,043 a year. Around 41% of UW Madison undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. UW Madison graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $27,323 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$20,206
UW Madison-Specific Loans	$7,349
Private Loans	$32,768

Most Common Loans for UW Madison Students
Federal Loans	38%
Institutional Loans	4%
Private loans	10%

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 UW 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 2022, UW Madison awarded 8,272 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $136 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $30.86 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Net Cost of University of Wisconsin-Madison

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 UW 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 UW Madison was $22,043 in 2022. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of UW Madison seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus	$-15,433
Net In-state, Off-campus	$-6,284
Out-of-State, On-Campus	$35,241

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 UW 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 UW 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 offset the cost of attending. Some schools offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, 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.

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Learn More About University of Wisconsin-Madison

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