Founded in 1848 and perched along the shores of Lake Mendota, the University of Wisconsin – Madison is the state’s flagship public university. With more than 36,000 undergraduates, it’s a very big school, but it still maintains that Midwestern coziness with strong school spirit on game days. The acceptance rate at UW-Madison hovers around 40%, making it a competitive school. 

That being said, what kind of GPA will your child need if they want to be a Badger? You’ve come to the right place. We at Ivy Coach have combed through the last past three years of data that the University of Wisconsin – Madison has self-reported to The Common Data Set Initiative, a voluntary effort among colleges to help all of those involved with a student’s transition into higher education. Let’s get into them. 

GPA Percentage of University of Wisconsin – Madison Class of 2029

The following is the GPA breakdown of the members of the University of Wisconsin – Madison Class of 2029:

GPA	Percentage of UW – Madison Class of 2029
4.0	52.7%
3.75-3.99	33.4%
3.5-3.74	10.1%
3.25-3.49	2.8%
3.0-3.24	0.9%
2.5-2.99	0.1%
2.0-2.49	0%
1.0-1.99	0%

GPA Percentage of University of Wisconsin – Madison Class of 2028

The following is the GPA breakdown of the members of the University of Wisconsin – Madison Class of 2028:

GPA	Percentage of UW – Madison Class of 2028
4.0	47.8%
3.75-3.99	36.0%
3.5-3.74	12.1%
3.25-3.49	2.9%
3.0-3.24	0.9%
2.5-2.99	0.3%
2.0-2.49	0%
1.0-1.99	0%

GPA Percentage of University of Wisconsin – Madison Class of 2027

The following is the GPA breakdown of the members of the UW – Madison Class of 2027:

GPA	Percentage of UW – Madison Class of 2027
4.0	48.2%
3.75-3.99	34.4%
3.5-3.74	12.5%
3.25-3.49	3.6%
3.0-3.24	1%
2.5-2.99	0.3%
2.0-2.49	0%
1.0-1.99	0%

Further Context on the GPAs of University of Wisconsin – Madison Students

If you’re not a figures and charts person, we’ve got you covered. Let’s discuss all those numbers and what they actually mean. Last year, for the UW – Madison Class of 2029, over half of the class came in with perfect high school report cards. Not so shabby. Another third of the class came in with really high GPAs between 3.75 and 3.99. This leaves 10% of the class coming in with mid-range GPAs between 3.5 and 3.74, and only a slim 3.8% coming in below the 3.5 mark. Pretty decent academic profile overall. 

Let’s jump a year further back, and we’ll see a fairly similar story play out. For the University of Wisconsin – Madison Class of 2028, just under half of the class came in with perfect high school GPAs. A little over a third came in with high GPAs between 3.75 and 3.99. 12% of incoming first-year students had a GPA between 3.5 and 3.74. So, only 4.1% of the UW – Madison Class of 2028 had a GPA below 3.5. 

Finally, looking at the University of Wisconsin – Madison Class of 2027 will crystallize this pattern. Again, around half of the class came onto campus with a 4.0 and a third came in with a high GPA in that 3.75 to 3.99 bracket. 12.5% came in with a GPA between 3.5 and 3.75. And, only a small 4.9% of the Class of 2027 had a GPA below 3.5. 

This is pretty decent year-to-year consistency. But, before we put all our credence in numbers, let’s do a reality check: college admissions is not just a numbers game. (If it were, our jobs at Ivy Coach would be so much easier.) Instead, numbers are one piece of a puzzle. The University of Wisconsin – Madison, like most other schools in the United States, maintains a holistic review process. They’re not just looking for students who are great test-makers. They want movers and shakers. At the end of the day, they’re after individuals who are going to contribute to their research output, serve as leaders on campus, and become representatives of what UW – Madison is capable of. 

Can Students Get into the University of Wisconsin – Madison with a Low GPA?

It’s possible, but it’s not probable. Though GPA is just a piece of the puzzle, it is a mighty important piece. “First, we focus on academic excellence and preparation,” UW – Madison reports. As you’re aware, the most straightforward way to demonstrate such excellence and preparation is going to be with an academic record. 

But again, let’s not make things too simple. A student with a perfect GPA who took easy, breezy courses at a non-competitive high school isn’t necessarily going to fare better than a student with a slightly lower GPA who took a challenging courseload at a rigorous school. Everything is considered within its context. 

How Ivy Coach Can Gauge Your Child’s Chances at the University of Wisconsin – Madison

If you’re looking to enhance your child’s chances of getting into the University of Wisconsin – Madison, we strongly recommend Ivy Coach’s Strategy Session. This session provides insights into your child’s potential for admission to UW – Madison and devises a comprehensive plan for optimizing their admission to the best school possible. To learn more about Ivy Coach’s Strategy Session, fill out our complimentary consultation form, and we’ll be in touch.