UW-Madison Welcomes Record Freshman Class from 72 Counties

The University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison) has recorded an influx of new students for the 2025-26 academic year, marking the fourth largest freshman class in its history. This year, the incoming class of 8,500 students represents all 72 counties in Wisconsin, along with participants from all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and over 50 countries worldwide. The university received a record 73,912 freshman applications, reflecting a 12 percent increase from the previous year.

Chancellor Jennifer L. Mnookin emphasized the university’s commitment to accessibility, stating, “At the core of our mission is the drive to expand access and opportunity while delivering outstanding teaching, research, and service.” Total enrollment for the fall semester stands at 51,865, a slight decline of 0.5 percent, as the university intentionally opted not to increase its enrollment figures this academic year.

Increased Representation and Support for Students

Among the new students, 3,828 are Wisconsin residents, the highest number since 2021. This aligns with UW-Madison’s pledge to enroll at least 3,600 Wisconsin residents each year, a promise made in 2015. Freshman Brooke Mercier, an elementary education major from Union Grove, reflects the positive impact of financial aid programs like Bucky’s Tuition Promise and Bucky’s Pell Pathway. “I chose UW-Madison because it provides the perfect balance: a top-tier education, a diverse and inspiring community, and the resources to make college truly accessible,” she noted.

The introduction of the Wisconsin Guarantee program this year has also contributed to the expanding student body. Approximately 1,713 applications from Wisconsin high school students met the program’s criteria, guaranteeing admission to eligible first-year applicants. Notably, 16 percent of Wisconsin resident applicants qualified for this guarantee.

Broadening Access and Enrollment Trends

The 2025 freshman class demonstrates significant progress in enhancing access to education at UW-Madison, particularly for first-generation students. A record 1,595 first-generation students have joined this year, the highest number since 2005. Additionally, 26 percent of the incoming class is receiving federal Pell grants, which are crucial for lower-income students seeking higher education.

Interim Vice Provost for Enrollment Management Scott Owczarek attributed this success to extensive outreach initiatives, including the College for Rural Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Tribal Educational Promise Program. “Our greatest success is in the students we serve,” Owczarek stated, highlighting efforts to maintain affordability while expanding access to UW-Madison’s education.

With a focus on student success, approximately two-thirds of undergraduates at UW-Madison graduate without any student loan debt, and many complete their degrees in less than four years.

The university has also become a popular choice for transfer students, receiving around 4,600 transfer applications this year, a nearly four percent increase from last year, marking the second-highest number in a decade. Pricilla Reyes, a veteran and first-generation Latina student, shared her journey of overcoming significant challenges to pursue her education at UW-Madison. After serving in the U.S. Air Force and attending Madison College, she gained the confidence to apply through the Badger Ready program and now studies social work.

Nearly 25 percent of this year’s transfer students are also first-generation college attendees, with approximately 18 percent transferring from Madison College. Other notable transfer sources include UW-Milwaukee, UW-Green Bay, UW-Oshkosh, and Marquette University.

This year’s first-year class also reveals some notable trends. While UW-Madison experienced declines in graduate and international student enrollment, consistent with national trends, it still welcomed about 3,100 new graduate and professional students. The total number of international students dropped by 490, or 7 percent, from the previous year. The university enrolled 1,505 underrepresented students of color among the new cohort, and 59 percent of the incoming class are female students, representing both the largest number and percentage in history.

As UW-Madison continues to prioritize accessibility and affordability, the university is poised to play a significant role in shaping the educational landscape for students across Wisconsin and beyond.