Catholic School CompassTrue north for Catholic families.
University of Wisconsin-Madison: Entrance to the Walnut Street Greenhouse (53325887831)
Photo: Chris Rycroft from Madison, Wisconsin, United States, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

College · Catholic life on campus

University of Wisconsin-Madison

  • LocationMadison, WI
  • Type and sizePublic · 4-year · 49,605 students
Official website
Campus Ministry Honor Roll badge

University of Wisconsin-Madison is not a Catholic college. This rating measures Catholic life on campus: campus ministry, priests, Mass and confession, student groups, and nearby parishes.

St. Paul University Catholic Center (Saint Paul Catholic Student Center), at 723 State Street on Library Mall, is the Catholic center listed by UW-Madison's Center for Interfaith Dialogue. Fr. Eric Sternberg, a priest of the Diocese of Madison, has been its pastor since July 2023. Badger Catholic, a Catholic student organization, runs a monthly speaker series, community events, Fides et Ratio discussions, Awaken adoration nights in the St. Paul's chapel, faith advising, and service events, and FOCUS lists UW-Madison among its campuses. Mass, confession, and adoration times are not recorded.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of University of Wisconsin-Madison, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches0.5 mi1 mi2 miSaint Paul University Catholic Center: 0.3 mi1Saint James Catholic Church: 0.6 mi2Holy Redeemer Catholic Church: 0.7 mi3Blessed Sacrament Church: 1.1 mi4Saint Patrick's Church: 1.3 mi5Saint Joseph Chapel: 1.5 mi6St. Paul University Catholic Center (Saint Paul Catholic Student Center): 0.3 miUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Saint Paul University Catholic Center — 0.3 mi · 723 State Street, Madison
  2. Saint James Catholic Church — 0.6 mi
  3. Holy Redeemer Catholic Church — 0.7 mi · 128 West Johnson Street
  4. Blessed Sacrament Church — 1.1 mi
  5. Saint Patrick's Church — 1.3 mi
  6. Saint Joseph Chapel — 1.5 mi

Within 3 miles, as mapped by OpenStreetMap contributors. The map may be incomplete. Confirm with the parish or diocese.

Catholic life scorecard

Each line is one thing we looked for. A check means yes, a half means partly, a dash means no. “Not enough information” means official sources did not say.

ACatholic life on campus: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.

Catholic life on campus

100 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Catholic campus ministry serving this campus (Catholic center, campus ministry, or chaplaincy)Yes (UW-Madison's Center for Interfaith Dialogue lists St. Paul University Catholic Center (linking to uwcatholic.org) and Badger Catholic among campus religious communities. Badger Catholic describes itself as a Catholic student organization at UW-Madison.)
    Sources (3)
    1. Religious and Spiritual Life – Center for Interfaith Dialogue – UW–Madisoninterfaith.wisc.edu/religious-and-spiritual-life · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Reformed University Fellowship Saint Francis House St. Paul University Catholic Center Ss Cyril & Methodius Ukrainian Orthodox Church”
      UW-Madison's Center for Interfaith Dialogue lists St. Paul University Catholic Center among the Christian communities on its Religious and Spiritual Life page, linking to uwcatholic.org.
    2. Sternberg, Father Eric – Center for Interfaith Dialogue – UW–Madisoninterfaith.wisc.edu/staff/sternberg-father-eric · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Fr. Eric Sternberg has been the Pastor of Saint Paul Catholic Student Center since July 2023 and was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Madison in 2005.”
      Fr. Eric Sternberg, a priest of the Diocese of Madison, has been pastor of Saint Paul Catholic Student Center since July 2023.
    3. Badger Catholic | Catholic Student Organization | Madison, WI, USAbadgercatholic.org · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Badger Catholic is a Catholic student organization at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Our mission is to provide spiritual resources and services to all Badgers, regardless of faith or creed.”
      Badger Catholic is a Catholic student organization serving UW-Madison.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Dedicated Catholic center or chapel on or next to campusYes (St. Paul's is at 723 State Street on Library Mall (UW Archives, 2016). Badger Catholic's current page says its Awaken events are held in the St. Paul's Catholic Student Center chapel.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Farewell St. Paul University Catholic Center | UW Archives and Records Management | UW-Madison Librarieslibrary.wisc.edu/archives/2016/01/06/farewell-st-paul-university-catholic-center · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “a new building is planned to open in 2017 at the existing location (723 State Street on Library Mall).”
      St. Paul University Catholic Center is located at 723 State Street on Library Mall (UW Archives post from January 2016, describing a new building planned at the same location).
    2. About | Badger Catholicbadgercatholic.org/about-6 · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “These events are hosted in the St. Paul’s Catholic Student Center chapel. The Eucharist is exposed for adoration during this time and the Badger Catholic Awaken Band plays live music”
      Badger Catholic's Awaken praise-and-worship events, with Eucharistic adoration, are held in the St. Paul's Catholic Student Center chapel.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Priest chaplain assigned to campus ministryFull-time priest chaplain (Fr. Eric Sternberg, a priest of the Diocese of Madison, has been Pastor of Saint Paul Catholic Student Center since July 2023 (UW Center for Interfaith Dialogue page).)
    Sources (1)
    1. Sternberg, Father Eric – Center for Interfaith Dialogue – UW–Madisoninterfaith.wisc.edu/staff/sternberg-father-eric · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Fr. Eric Sternberg has been the Pastor of Saint Paul Catholic Student Center since July 2023 and was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Madison in 2005.”
      Fr. Eric Sternberg, a priest of the Diocese of Madison, has been pastor of Saint Paul Catholic Student Center since July 2023.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Weekday Mass at the campus ministryNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Sunday Mass at the campus ministry or a campus chapelNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Scheduled confession at the campus ministryNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Catholic student groups and missionary outreach (e.g., FOCUS, Saint Paul's Outreach, Knights of Columbus, Bible studies)Two or more (Badger Catholic, FOCUS (focus.org lists UW-Madison), the Thomistic Institute at UW-Madison, Students for Life of America - UW-Madison, and Badgers For Life appear on official or organization pages. In the UW directory Badger Catholic, the Thomistic Institute, and Badgers For Life were marked 'Group Not Registered Yet' for the current year. The Catholic Medical Association student section is limited to medical students and is not counted.)
    Sources (5)
    1. Badger Catholic | Catholic Student Organization | Madison, WI, USAbadgercatholic.org · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Badger Catholic is a Catholic student organization at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Our mission is to provide spiritual resources and services to all Badgers, regardless of faith or creed.”
      Badger Catholic is a Catholic student organization serving UW-Madison.
    2. Campuses - FOCUSfocus.org/about/campuses · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “University of Wisconsin-La Crosse University of Wisconsin-Platteville University of Wisconsin Madison”
      FOCUS lists the University of Wisconsin-Madison among the campuses where it serves.
    3. List of Groupswin.wisc.edu/club_signup?search=catholic · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Badger Catholic General Registered Student Organizations - Cultural/Ethnic, Religious/Spiritual, Service/Volunteer”
      Badger Catholic appears in UW-Madison's student organization directory (marked 'Group Not Registered Yet' for the current year).
    4. List of Groupswin.wisc.edu/club_signup?search=thomist · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Thomistic Institute at the University of Wisconsin-Madison General Registered Student Organizations - Academic/Career, Political Interest, Religious/Spiritual”
      The Thomistic Institute at UW-Madison appears in the UW student organization directory (marked 'Group Not Registered Yet' for the current year).
    5. List of Groupswin.wisc.edu/club_signup?search=pro-life · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Students for Life of America exists to recruit, train, & mobilize the pro-life generation to abolish abortion.”
      Students for Life of America - UW-Madison is a pro-life student organization in the UW directory.
      “Badgers for Life, in coordination with Wisconsin Right to Life and educated by the Equal Rights institute strives to:”
      Badgers For Life is a pro-life student organization in the UW directory (marked 'Group Not Registered Yet' for the current year).
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Formation programs (retreats, OCIA/RCIA, service, small groups)Two or more kinds (Badger Catholic lists a monthly speaker series, Fides et Ratio faith-and-reason discussions, one-on-one faith advising with staff, and service events each semester. UW's Catholic Social & Political Thought initiative also runs Catholic reading groups (Spring 2026).)
    Sources (1)
    1. About | Badger Catholicbadgercatholic.org/about-6 · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “We bring in phenomenal Catholic speakers from all over the country for a monthly hour long talk about the Faith.”
      Badger Catholic hosts a monthly General Speaker Series with Catholic speakers.
      “Hence, this program provides philosophical arguments with a closing discussion about Catholic beliefs and practices.”
      Badger Catholic's Fides et Ratio program offers philosophical presentations followed by discussion of Catholic beliefs and practices.
      “Here, students may reach out to any of our staff members to meet one-on-one about the Faith.”
      Badger Catholic offers one-on-one faith advising with its staff.
      “We strive to serve our local Madison community through numerous service events throughout each semester.”
      Badger Catholic holds service events in Madison each semester.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Catholic church within walking distance (computed from OpenStreetMap)Within 1 mile of campusComputed from OpenStreetMap church locations.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Published weekly schedule of Mass, confession, and adorationNot enough information: no verified Mass times are recorded.

Grades come from the documented indicators under the published rubric. “Not enough information” does not mean the school lacks it.

Strengths

  • A Catholic student center with a chapel, St. Paul University Catholic Center, is located at 723 State Street on Library Mall.
    Sources (2)
    1. Farewell St. Paul University Catholic Center | UW Archives and Records Management | UW-Madison Librarieslibrary.wisc.edu/archives/2016/01/06/farewell-st-paul-university-catholic-center · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “a new building is planned to open in 2017 at the existing location (723 State Street on Library Mall).”
      St. Paul University Catholic Center is located at 723 State Street on Library Mall (UW Archives post from January 2016, describing a new building planned at the same location).
    2. About | Badger Catholicbadgercatholic.org/about-6 · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “These events are hosted in the St. Paul’s Catholic Student Center chapel. The Eucharist is exposed for adoration during this time and the Badger Catholic Awaken Band plays live music”
      Badger Catholic's Awaken praise-and-worship events, with Eucharistic adoration, are held in the St. Paul's Catholic Student Center chapel.
  • A priest of the Diocese of Madison, Fr. Eric Sternberg, has served as pastor of Saint Paul Catholic Student Center since July 2023.
    Sources (1)
    1. Sternberg, Father Eric – Center for Interfaith Dialogue – UW–Madisoninterfaith.wisc.edu/staff/sternberg-father-eric · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Fr. Eric Sternberg has been the Pastor of Saint Paul Catholic Student Center since July 2023 and was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Madison in 2005.”
      Fr. Eric Sternberg, a priest of the Diocese of Madison, has been pastor of Saint Paul Catholic Student Center since July 2023.
  • Badger Catholic offers a monthly speaker series, community events, Fides et Ratio discussions, adoration nights, faith advising, and service events. FOCUS also serves the campus.
    Sources (2)
    1. About | Badger Catholicbadgercatholic.org/about-6 · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “These events are hosted in the St. Paul’s Catholic Student Center chapel. The Eucharist is exposed for adoration during this time and the Badger Catholic Awaken Band plays live music”
      Badger Catholic's Awaken praise-and-worship events, with Eucharistic adoration, are held in the St. Paul's Catholic Student Center chapel.
      “We bring in phenomenal Catholic speakers from all over the country for a monthly hour long talk about the Faith.”
      Badger Catholic hosts a monthly General Speaker Series with Catholic speakers.
      “Our community events include: an annual talent show, line dancing, rosary making, advent wreath making, game night, spikeball tournaments, and more!”
      Badger Catholic's Ignite program holds community events such as a talent show, rosary making, game nights, and spikeball tournaments.
      “Hence, this program provides philosophical arguments with a closing discussion about Catholic beliefs and practices.”
      Badger Catholic's Fides et Ratio program offers philosophical presentations followed by discussion of Catholic beliefs and practices.
      “Here, students may reach out to any of our staff members to meet one-on-one about the Faith.”
      Badger Catholic offers one-on-one faith advising with its staff.
      “We strive to serve our local Madison community through numerous service events throughout each semester.”
      Badger Catholic holds service events in Madison each semester.
    2. Campuses - FOCUSfocus.org/about/campuses · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “University of Wisconsin-La Crosse University of Wisconsin-Platteville University of Wisconsin Madison”
      FOCUS lists the University of Wisconsin-Madison among the campuses where it serves.
  • Other Catholic-related student groups include a Thomistic Institute chapter and two pro-life organizations, and the university runs Catholic Social & Political Thought reading groups.
    Sources (3)
    1. List of Groupswin.wisc.edu/club_signup?search=thomist · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Thomistic Institute at the University of Wisconsin-Madison General Registered Student Organizations - Academic/Career, Political Interest, Religious/Spiritual”
      The Thomistic Institute at UW-Madison appears in the UW student organization directory (marked 'Group Not Registered Yet' for the current year).
    2. List of Groupswin.wisc.edu/club_signup?search=pro-life · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Students for Life of America exists to recruit, train, & mobilize the pro-life generation to abolish abortion.”
      Students for Life of America - UW-Madison is a pro-life student organization in the UW directory.
      “Badgers for Life, in coordination with Wisconsin Right to Life and educated by the Equal Rights institute strives to:”
      Badgers For Life is a pro-life student organization in the UW directory (marked 'Group Not Registered Yet' for the current year).
    3. Catholic Social and Political Thought Initiative – Center for the Study of Liberal Democracy – UW–Madisoncsld.wisc.edu/cspt · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Undergraduates are invited to join the *new* S.T.E.M.-focused Catholic Saints & Scientists Reading Group”
      UW's Catholic Social & Political Thought initiative offered a Catholic Saints & Scientists reading group for undergraduates in Spring 2026, alongside its main CSPT reading group.

Concerns

  • In the UW student organization directory, Badger Catholic, the Thomistic Institute, and Badgers For Life were marked 'Group Not Registered Yet' for the current year.
    Sources (3)
    1. List of Groupswin.wisc.edu/club_signup?search=catholic · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Badger Catholic General Registered Student Organizations - Cultural/Ethnic, Religious/Spiritual, Service/Volunteer”
      Badger Catholic appears in UW-Madison's student organization directory (marked 'Group Not Registered Yet' for the current year).
    2. List of Groupswin.wisc.edu/club_signup?search=thomist · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Thomistic Institute at the University of Wisconsin-Madison General Registered Student Organizations - Academic/Career, Political Interest, Religious/Spiritual”
      The Thomistic Institute at UW-Madison appears in the UW student organization directory (marked 'Group Not Registered Yet' for the current year).
    3. List of Groupswin.wisc.edu/club_signup?search=pro-life · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Badgers for Life, in coordination with Wisconsin Right to Life and educated by the Equal Rights institute strives to:”
      Badgers For Life is a pro-life student organization in the UW directory (marked 'Group Not Registered Yet' for the current year).

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

The Catholic center

St. Paul University Catholic Center (Saint Paul Catholic Student Center)

  • Address: 723 State Street, Madison, WI 53703
  • Distance from campus: 0.3 mi (straight line from the campus point in federal IPEDS data)
  • Facilities: chapel

View on map ↗

Source: interfaith.wisc.edu, verified Oct. 8, 2026, interfaith.wisc.edu, verified Oct. 8, 2026, library.wisc.edu, verified Oct. 8, 2026, badgercatholic.org, verified Oct. 8, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

12 groups and regular activities · 11 on campus, 1 off campus

Service 1

  • Badger Catholic service eventsOff campus
    Several times each semester
    Service in Madison; past events include sorting donations at pregnancy help centers and St. Vincent de Paul garden work.
    badgercatholic.org

Faith formation 4

  • General Speaker Series (Badger Catholic)On campus
    Monthly
    Monthly hour-long talk on the Catholic faith by a visiting speaker.
    badgercatholic.org
  • Fides et Ratio (Badger Catholic)On campus
    Philosophical presentations followed by discussion of Catholic beliefs and practices.
    badgercatholic.org
  • Faith Advising (Badger Catholic)On campus
    Confidential one-on-one meetings with Badger Catholic staff about the faith.
    badgercatholic.org
  • Catholic Social & Political Thought reading groupsOn campus
    Every other Tuesday during the semester (Spring 2026 schedule)
    University-run reading groups on the Catholic intellectual tradition, including a Catholic Saints & Scientists group for undergraduates.
    csld.wisc.edu, csld.wisc.edu

Clubs and groups 5

  • Badger CatholicOn campus
    Catholic student organization at UW-Madison offering speakers, community events, discussions, prayer nights, faith advising, and service.
    badgercatholic.org, win.wisc.edu
  • FOCUSOn campus
    FOCUS lists UW-Madison among the campuses where it serves.
    focus.org
  • Thomistic Institute at the University of Wisconsin-MadisonOn campus
    Student chapter of the Thomistic Institute listed in the UW student organization directory (not yet re-registered for the current year).
    win.wisc.edu
  • Students for Life of America - UW-MadisonOn campus
    Pro-life student organization listed in the UW student organization directory.
    win.wisc.edu
  • Badgers For LifeOn campus
    Pro-life student organization working with Wisconsin Right to Life (not yet re-registered for the current year).
    win.wisc.edu

Liturgy and prayer 1

  • Awaken (Badger Catholic)On campus
    Praise and worship nights with Eucharistic adoration and the Badger Catholic Awaken Band, held in the St. Paul's Catholic Student Center chapel.
    badgercatholic.org

Social life 1

  • Ignite (Badger Catholic)On campus
    Community events such as an annual talent show, line dancing, rosary and Advent wreath making, game nights, and spikeball tournaments.
    badgercatholic.org

Everything listed is published by the school, its campus ministry, or the parish. Ask the campus minister what’s happening this semester.

Catholic campus ministry

Sources (7)
  1. Religious and Spiritual Life – Center for Interfaith Dialogue – UW–Madisoninterfaith.wisc.edu/religious-and-spiritual-life · verified Oct. 8, 2026
    “Reformed University Fellowship Saint Francis House St. Paul University Catholic Center Ss Cyril & Methodius Ukrainian Orthodox Church”
    UW-Madison's Center for Interfaith Dialogue lists St. Paul University Catholic Center among the Christian communities on its Religious and Spiritual Life page, linking to uwcatholic.org.
    “African Christian Fellowship Asian American InterVarsity Christian Fellowship Badger Catholic Badger Cru”
    The same UW page lists Badger Catholic among Christian campus communities.
    “Reformed University Fellowship Saint Francis House St. Paul University Catholic Center Ss Cyril & Methodius Ukrainian Orthodox Church”
    UW-Madison's Center for Interfaith Dialogue lists St. Paul University Catholic Center among the Christian communities on its Religious and Spiritual Life page, linking to uwcatholic.org.
  2. Sternberg, Father Eric – Center for Interfaith Dialogue – UW–Madisoninterfaith.wisc.edu/staff/sternberg-father-eric · verified Oct. 8, 2026
    “Fr. Eric Sternberg has been the Pastor of Saint Paul Catholic Student Center since July 2023 and was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Madison in 2005.”
    Fr. Eric Sternberg, a priest of the Diocese of Madison, has been pastor of Saint Paul Catholic Student Center since July 2023.
    “Fr. Eric Sternberg has been the Pastor of Saint Paul Catholic Student Center since July 2023 and was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Madison in 2005.”
    Fr. Eric Sternberg, a priest of the Diocese of Madison, has been pastor of Saint Paul Catholic Student Center since July 2023.
  3. Badger Catholic | Catholic Student Organization | Madison, WI, USAbadgercatholic.org · verified Oct. 8, 2026
    “Badger Catholic is a Catholic student organization at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Our mission is to provide spiritual resources and services to all Badgers, regardless of faith or creed.”
    Badger Catholic is a Catholic student organization serving UW-Madison.
  4. Campuses - FOCUSfocus.org/about/campuses · verified Oct. 8, 2026
    “University of Wisconsin-La Crosse University of Wisconsin-Platteville University of Wisconsin Madison”
    FOCUS lists the University of Wisconsin-Madison among the campuses where it serves.
  5. List of Groupswin.wisc.edu/club_signup?search=thomist · verified Oct. 8, 2026
    “Thomistic Institute at the University of Wisconsin-Madison General Registered Student Organizations - Academic/Career, Political Interest, Religious/Spiritual”
    The Thomistic Institute at UW-Madison appears in the UW student organization directory (marked 'Group Not Registered Yet' for the current year).
  6. Farewell St. Paul University Catholic Center | UW Archives and Records Management | UW-Madison Librarieslibrary.wisc.edu/archives/2016/01/06/farewell-st-paul-university-catholic-center · verified Oct. 8, 2026
    “a new building is planned to open in 2017 at the existing location (723 State Street on Library Mall).”
    St. Paul University Catholic Center is located at 723 State Street on Library Mall (UW Archives post from January 2016, describing a new building planned at the same location).
  7. About | Badger Catholicbadgercatholic.org/about-6 · verified Oct. 8, 2026
    “These events are hosted in the St. Paul’s Catholic Student Center chapel. The Eucharist is exposed for adoration during this time and the Badger Catholic Awaken Band plays live music”
    Badger Catholic's Awaken praise-and-worship events, with Eucharistic adoration, are held in the St. Paul's Catholic Student Center chapel.

Reach out

Contact details for Badger Catholic (Catholic student organization (contact email published on its Contact page)) and 4 official social and news channels are available to signed-in users.

Sign in Create a free account

We keep campus ministers’ emails behind sign-in to protect them from spam.

My rating and notes

Sign in or create a free account to rate this school privately, keep notes, and save it to your list.

Academic Excellence

AAcademic Excellence: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
90 of 100
From federal data, on fixed published scales.

Each measure counts for the share shown.

  • Graduation rate 35% of scoreThis measure counts for 35% of the Academic Excellence score.90%
  • First-year retention 20% of scoreThis measure counts for 20% of the Academic Excellence score.96%
  • Entering students' test scores 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.SAT 1,427 · ACT 31
  • Student-to-faculty ratio 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.18 to 1
  • Instructional spending per student 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.$21,417

Bars show points on each measure’s scale. How Academic Excellence is computed.

Source: College Scorecard (College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026))

Cost and value

Federal data, shown separately. Cost, debt, and earnings are never part of any grade.

Undergraduate students
Fall enrollment (IPEDS)
36,797
Total students49,605
Average net price (per year)
After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid
$17,354
Cost of attendance (per year)$28,679
Median federal debt at graduation$20,484
Graduation rate
First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time
90%
First-year retention96%
Median earnings 10 years after entry$73,792
Admission rate45%
Students receiving Pell grants16%
Admission test scores (middle 50% of admitted students who submitted scores)
Average SAT1427
SAT reading & writing670–740
SAT math710–780
ACT composite29–33
Test policyConsidered but not required

Value index: 79 / 100 (how it’s computed)

Sources: College Scorecard · IPEDS College Navigator · Net price calculator
College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026); IPEDS 2024-25 directory and institutional characteristics; fall 2023 enrollment.

Local Church

Diocese of Madison

The Most Reverend Donald J. Hying, Bishop of Madison

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Source: usccb.org, verified Oct. 7, 2026.

Diocese determined from the county, using the diocese’s county list (Wikipedia). Confirm with the diocese.

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is University of Wisconsin-Madison a Catholic college?
No. University of Wisconsin-Madison is not a Catholic college. Catholic School Compass rates the Catholic life on its campus instead. Catholic students are served by St. Paul University Catholic Center (Saint Paul Catholic Student Center).
What is University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Catholic Life Score?
98 out of 100 (grade A). It measures Catholic life on campus: campus ministry, priests, Mass and confession, student groups, and nearby parishes, together with academics.
Is University of Wisconsin-Madison Compass Recommended?
Yes. University of Wisconsin-Madison meets the Compass Recommended standard for Catholic life on campus.

Reviews

Personal experiences from signed-in readers. Reviews are moderated automatically and never change a school’s grades.

No reviews yet.

Sign in to write a review.

More in Wisconsin · Wisconsin rankings