How this school serves students from different economic backgrounds, including Pell students, first-generation pathways, and long-term mobility outcomes.
University of Wisconsin-Madison ranks at the 84.2nd percentile for access with strong tier performance, though access is defined more by competitive admission standards than broad participation. The university admits 43.4% of applicants in the selective tier while enrolling 15.3% Pell-eligible and 16.8% first-generation students. Transfer students comprise 12.7% of enrollment, providing some pathway for community college students. Despite moderate representation of lower-income students, the university maintains exceptional test score performance with SAT scores 204 points above peer institutions. This combination reflects the correlation between family income and academic preparation required for competitive admission to selective institutions.
The relationship between access and mobility at University of Wisconsin-Madison reflects the institution's selective admission model. While the university enrolls smaller shares of lower-income students compared to less selective public institutions, those students who gain admission and complete degrees achieve strong economic mobility outcomes. The combination of competitive admission standards with effective career preparation creates conditions for upward economic movement, though the benefits are concentrated among students who meet admission requirements and successfully complete their programs.
University of Wisconsin-Madison achieves excellent mobility performance at the 96.3rd percentile, demonstrating strong economic outcomes for graduates across different backgrounds. As a Selective Achievers institution, the university serves fewer lower-income students relative to peers while delivering strong post-graduation earnings for those who enroll. Low-income graduates earn $72,100, reflecting successful career preparation despite the institution's selective admission profile. The 18.7 percentage point gap between overall completion (89.3%) and Pell completion (70.6%) indicates different outcomes by economic background, though Pell students who complete degrees achieve strong earnings outcomes. The mobility ranking reflects the combination of moderate access with strong economic outcomes for graduates, positioning University of Wisconsin-Madison as effective at converting educational opportunity into economic advancement for students who can navigate the admission process.
