Tuition & net price

How much does University of Wisconsin–Madison cost?

Published tuition is $11,603 in-state and $42,103 out-of-state, with a full cost of attendance of $28,679 a year. After aid, families pay between $4,101 and $27,292 depending on income.

In-state tuition$11,603before aid
Out-of-state$42,103before aid
Lowest net price$4,101families under $30k
Highest net price$27,292families over $110k

What families actually pay Average net price after grants and scholarships, by household income.

Household incomeNet price a yearShare of the sticker price
Under $30,000 $4,200 15%
$30,001–$48,000 $4,101 14%
$48,001–$75,000 $8,134 28%
$75,001–$110,000 $17,763 62%
Over $110,000 $27,292 95%

Net price is the federal measure of what students actually pay: total cost of attendance minus the grant and scholarship aid they receive. It is the only cost figure worth comparing between universities — the published tuition above is a list price that most students never pay in full.

Who pays how The mix of grant aid and borrowing at this university.

On Pell grants
16%
Take federal loans
20%
Typical repayment
$217/mo

A high Pell share means the university enrols many lower-income students, and usually that its net price for those families is well below the sticker price. A high loan share means the gap between aid and cost is being filled with borrowing — the repayment record shows how that works out afterwards.

Money you do not have to repay

Grants and scholarships come off the price before you borrow anything. We list 1 tied to University of Wisconsin–Madison.

USA University of Wisconsin–Madison King Morgridge Scholarship...
All University of Wisconsin–Madison scholarships →

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How the price compares Universities charging a similar amount in Wisconsin.

UniversityIn-stateOut-of-stateCost of attendanceNet price (under $30k)
Carthage College $38,750 $38,750 $50,822 $23,293
Wisconsin Lutheran College $36,110 $36,110 $48,785 $18,190
Marian University $35,178 $35,178 $44,450 $17,449
Alverno College $34,086 $34,086 $51,362 $22,032
Milwaukee School of Engineering $50,480 $50,480 $62,648 $11,607
Marquette University $51,170 $51,170 $66,768 $22,269

University of Wisconsin–Madison costs: common questions

How much is tuition at University of Wisconsin–Madison?
Published tuition is $11,603 for in-state students and $42,103 for out-of-state students, before any aid.
What does University of Wisconsin–Madison actually cost after financial aid?
It depends on family income. After grants and scholarships, families earning under $30,000 pay a net $4,200 a year, while families over $110,000 pay $27,292.
What is the total cost of attendance at University of Wisconsin–Madison?
$28,679 a year as the institution reports it — tuition, fees, housing, books and living costs combined. Almost nobody pays this in full; the net price above is what families actually pay.
Is University of Wisconsin–Madison worth the money?
Graduates earn a median $73,792 ten years after starting, against $20,484 of median debt — see the full payback breakdown for the arithmetic.
University of Wisconsin–Madison profile Debt vs graduate salary Student loan record SAT scores & admission Cheapest US universities

Source: US Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition and cost of attendance are as reported by the institution; net price is the average paid by students receiving federal aid, by household income band. Figures imported 28 Aug 2026.