Why Choose Wisconsin

A university is known by the quality of its faculty. Wisconsin is a university that produces Nobel Prize winners, recipients of the National Medal of Science, Pulitzer Prize winners, and members of the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Education. Only a handful of universities, along with UW-Madison, can claim top ranking in nearly every independent survey, year after year.

U.S. News & World Report, 2009: Ranks Wisconsin as the seventh-best public university and 37th among all universities. The UW also received mention for its "first-year experiences," "undergraduate research/creative projects," "learning communities" and "study abroad."
Academic Ranking of World Universities, 2007: Ranked UW 17th among the top 500 world universities
Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine, 2008: Ranked UW 19th among the 100 Best Values in Public Colleges
Kaplan/Newsweek How to Get Into College Guide, 2007: America's Hottest Big State School
Fiske Guide to Colleges, 2007: UW is ranked as one of 45 public universities that are "Best Buys"
Princeton Review, 2008: Lists Wisconsin in "The Best 366 Colleges"
Students' Guide to Colleges, 2007: Lists Wisconsin as one of "America's top 100 schools"

Other Rankings

Fortune 500 Companies: Ranks second in the number of graduates who become chief executives in Fortune 500 companies
Peace Corps: Ranks second for number of alumni serving in the Peace Corps and second for the number of Peace Corps volunteers
Research & Development: Ranks second among public universities and third among all universities for research expenditures. In 2005-06, UW-Madison received more than $703 million in research awards
Voluntary Support: Ranks fifth among public universities and 12th among all universities for private giving to education
Libraries: Ranks 11th in number of volumes (7.2 million) and campus libraries (43)
Doctorates: Ranks second in research doctorates granted
Patents: Ranks fifth in patent revenue and 15th in the power of its patent pipeline according to The Scientist magazine

Academic Programs

Academic Programs & Resources
Undergraduate Majors: 134
Master's Degree Programs: 153
Doctoral Programs: 114
Courses Offered: 4,378
Academic Departments: 185
Average Class Size: 29 students
Libraries: 40; Volumes: 7.3 million
Computer Labs: 108
General-Access Computers: More than 1,000

Student Resources

Academic Advancement Program
Dean of Students Office
Division of Information Technology
International Student Services
McBurney Disability Resource Center
Morgridge Center for Public Services
Multicultural Student Center
Race Relations Education Program
TRIO Student Support Services
University Health Services

Outside the Classroom

Residence Halls: 17
Club Athletic Teams: 35
Intramural Sports: 30
Indoor Recreational Facilities: 4
Swimming Pools: 2
Outdoor Recreation Area: 63 acres
Student Organizations: 761
Fraternities and Sororities: 47
Performing Arts Events: 1,500/year