A legacy of excellence
and a force for change
With a legacy of groundbreaking research and a commitment to public service, the University of Wisconsin–Madison educates tomorrow’s leaders while transforming lives throughout the state, nation and world.
Research and Innovation
As a top 10 research institution, UW–Madison’s vast research enterprise has a singular mission: to improve lives. We invest more than $1.7 billion annually in research activities, keeping us on the edge of the next big discovery.
In the past year, we’ve seen construction of a fusion energy device that recently generated plasma for the first time and helped secure a U.S. EDA Phase 2 Tech Hub grant to expand biohealth innovation in Wisconsin. Our new Research, Innovation and Scholarly Excellence (RISE) Initiative is a multifaceted effort focused on faculty hiring, research infrastructure, interdisciplinary collaboration and student opportunity. Focused on pushing forward, RISE ensures UW–Madison’s legacy of life-changing innovations will continue to have global impact for decades to come.
View an interactive timeline of UW–Madison’s discoveries and innovations
#6
national research ranking among
U.S. universities (2022–23)
#7
most doctorates granted among
U.S. universities (2023)
#12
patents granted among
U.S. universities (2023)
The Wisconsin Experience
We believe a well-rounded education doesn’t just produce top thinkers – it also develops better citizens. Our broad vision for education coalesces learning in and out of the classroom.
Whether it’s teaching one of our more than 250 active-learning courses, mentoring an undergraduate research project, or guiding students to a life-changing study-abroad program, our world-class faculty and staff help provide a sense of belonging on campus and prepare today’s students for tomorrow’s careers and challenges.
91%
student participation in service learning
or other high-impact practice (2023–24)
~1,000
registered student
organizations to join (2022)
#1
national public university
(Washington Monthly, 2024)
An Affordable Education for All
We believe an education should get you ahead, not put you behind. Over the last seven years, we’ve launched three new financial aid programs for Wisconsin residents that cover full tuition and fees. When applying to colleges, first generation student Lauren Choi cast a wide net and was accepted by 15 top-tier universities. But UW–Madison closed the deal by offering Bucky’s Pell Pathway, which covers not only tuition and fees but also housing, meals, books and most other educational expenses.
More than 8,000 Wisconsin students and their families have benefitted from these programs so far. Mackenzie Straub — a graduate of the first cohort of students to receive Bucky’s Tuition Promise — earned a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education in 2021. Today, she teaches in the same small town — in the very same building — where she once attended third grade.
66%
students graduating
debt-free (2023-24)
3.86
years to earn a degree
on average (2023–24)
89%
graduation rate within
six years (2023)
An Impact Beyond Campus
Ever since the Wisconsin Idea was first articulated 120 years ago, we’ve rallied around the principle that the university should improve people’s lives beyond the boundaries of campus.
We bring the Wisconsin Idea to life every day through our education, research and outreach. During the 2023–2024 academic year, our students dedicated nearly 20,000 hours of community service through Badger Volunteers. From consistently ranking as a top producer of Peace Corps volunteers to forming startups from UW research, Badgers across the world are making committed to making a difference in their community.
400+ startups formed from UW research
490K+ living alumni (2024)
30-billion dollars#1 producer of Peace Corps volunteers (2023)