Cost of Attendance

Your cost of attendance (COA) is an ESTIMATE of the expenses you might encounter while attending UW-Madison. Your COA includes more than just tuition and fees – see below. Most programs’ COAs are based on a full-time, nine-month enrollment period, unless otherwise noted.  Although the actual cost of attending UW-Madison varies depending on your particular spending habits, the university bases your financial aid on your estimated COA.

International students will have additional expenses including International Student Fees. Visit the International Student Services (ISS) Office for more information on funding & scholarships options.

Tuition & Fees are approved annually each summer by the Wisconsin Board of Regents and our estimated costs are updated shortly after, typically early August. To see actual tuition and fees for your specific degree and/or program, visit the Bursar’s Office, Tuition Rates page.

Residency for tuition purposes is determined by the Registrar’s Office.

To help you estimate how much financial aid you can expect to help cover your expenses – see our Net Price Calculator.

COA Breakdowns

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Undergraduate

2025-26 ESTIMATED Academic Year Cost of Attendance

Wisconsin Resident Non-Resident Minnesota Resident Commuter
Tuition & Fees $12,186 $44,210 $17,584 $12,186
Required Course Material & Educational Supplies $700 $700 $700 $700
Housing & Meals $14,520 $14,520 $14,520 $4,418
Personal $2,570 $2,570 $2,570 $2,570
Transportation $600 $1,200 $850 $1,300
Loan Fees $68 $68 $68 $68
Total $30,644 $63,268 $36,292 $21,242

2024-25 ESTIMATED Academic Year Cost of Attendance

Wisconsin Resident Non-Resident Minnesota Resident Commuter
Tuition & Fees $11,606 $42,104 $16,638 $11,606
Required Course Material & Educational Supplies $1,100 $1,100 $1,100 $1,100
Housing & Meals $14,124 $14,124 $14,124 $4,290
Personal $2,512 $2,512 $2,512 $2,512
Transportation $600 $1,200 $850 $1,300
Loan Fees $66 $66 $66 $66
Total $30,008 $61,106 $35,290 $20,874

Notes

  • An estimated New Student Fee of $330 is charged for incoming First-Year students and $256 for new Transfer students.
  • Tuition Differentials
    • Wisconsin School of Business – $3,000
    • College of Engineering – $3,200
    • School of Nursing – $1,500
  • Incoming undergraduates have $1,100 added to their required course material and educational supplies budget for the purchase of a computer.

Graduate

2025-26 ESTIMATED Academic Year Cost of Attendance

Wisconsin Resident Non Resident Minnesota Resident
Tuition & Fees $12,404 $25,732 $21,478
Required Course Material & Educational Supplies $700 $700 $700
Housing & Meals $16,414 $16,414 $16,414
Personal $5,000 $5,000 $5,000
Transportation $920 $1,500 $1,000
Loan Fees $272 $272 $272
TOTAL COA $35,710 $49,618 $44,864

2024-25 ESTIMATED Academic Year Cost of Attendance

Wisconsin Resident Non Resident Minnesota Resident
Tuition & Fees $12,326 $25,652 $20,714
Required Course Materials & Educational Supplies $1,100 $1,100 $1,100
Housing & Meals $15,928 $15,928 $15,928
Personal $4,942 $4,942 $4,942
Transportation $920 $1,500 $1,000
Loan Fees $268 $268 $268
TOTAL COA $35,395 $49,390 $43,952
  • Incoming graduate students have $1,100 added to their required course material and educational supplies budget for the purchase of a computer.

Dissertator

2025-26 ESTIMATED Academic Year Cost of Attendance

Wisconsin Resident Non Resident Minnesota Resident
Tuition & Fees $3,512 $4,712 $4,712
Required Course Material & Educational Supplies $700 $700 $700
Housing & Meals $16,414 $16,414 $16,414
Personal $5,000 $5,000 $5,000
Transportation $920 $1,500 $1,000
Loan Fees $272 $272 $272
TOTAL COA $26,818 $28,598 $27,826

2024-25 ESTIMATED Academic Year Cost of Attendance

Wisconsin Resident Non Resident Minnesota Resident
Tuition & Fees $3,460 $4,660 $4,660
Required Course Material & Educational Supplies $1,100 $1,100 $1,100
Housing & Meals $15,928 $15,928 $15,928
Personal $4,942 $4,942 $4,942
Transportation $920 $1,500 $1,000
Loan Fees $268 $268 $268
TOTAL COA $26,618 $28,398 $27,898
  • Incoming dissertators have $1,100 added to their required course material and educational supplies budget for the purchase of a computer.

Business Graduate

2025-26 ESTIMATED Academic Year Cost of Attendance

Wisconsin Resident Non Resident Minnesota Resident
Tuition & Fees $29,442 $53,090 $47,278
Required Course Material & Educational Supplies $700 $700 $700
Housing & Meals $16,414 $16,414 $16,414
Personal $5,000 $5,000 $5,000
Transportation $920 $1,500 $1,000
Loan Fees $272 $272 $272
TOTAL COA $52,748 $76,976 $70,664

2024-25 ESTIMATED Academic Year Cost of Attendance

Wisconsin Resident Non Resident Minnesota Resident
Tuition & Fees $29,362 $53,010 $45,278
Required Course Material & Educational Supplies $1,100 $1,100 $1,100
Housing & Meals $15,928 $15,928 $15,928
Personal $4,942 $4,942 $4,942
Transportation $920 $1,500 $1,000
Loan Fees $268 $268 $268
TOTAL COA $52,520 $76,748 $68,516

Notes

  • Incoming business graduate students have $1,500 added to their required course material and educational supplies budget for the purchase of a computer.

Law

2025-26 ESTIMATED Academic Year Cost of Attendance

Wisconsin Resident Non Resident Minnesota Resident
Tuition & Fees $38,204 $55,318 $54,010
Required Course Material & Educational Supplies $2,450 $2,450 $2,450
Housing & Meals $16,414 $16,414 $16,414
Personal $5,000 $5,000 $5,000
Transportation $920 $1,500 $1,000
Loan Fees $272 $272 $272
TOTAL COA $63,260 $80,954 $79,146

2024-25 ESTIMATED Academic Year Cost of Attendance

Wisconsin Resident Non Resident Minnesota Resident
Tuition & Fees $37,232 $53,930 $48,254
Required Course Material & Educational Supplies $2,450 $2,450 $2,450
Housing & Meals $15,928 $15,928 $15,928
Personal $4,942 $4,942 $4,942
Transportation $920 $1,500 $1,000
Loan Fees $268 $268 $268
TOTAL COA $61,740 $79,018 $72,842
Notes
  • Incoming law students have $1,100 added to their required course materials and educational supplies budget for the purchase of a computer.
  • Third-Year law students have $210 added for credential/licensure.

Pharmacy

2025-26 ESTIMATED Academic Year Cost of Attendance

Wisconsin Resident Non Resident Minnesota Resident
Tuition & Fees $30,548 $49,624 $34,266
Required Course Material & Educational Supplies $700 $700 $700
Housing & Meals  $16,414 $16,414 $16,414
Personal $5,000 $5,000 $5,000
Transportation $920 $920 $920
Loan Fees $272 $272 $272
TOTAL COA $53,854 $73,510 $57,652

2024-25 ESTIMATED Academic Year Cost of Attendance

Wisconsin Resident Non Resident Minnesota Resident
Tuition & Fees $30,468 $49,544 $32,944
Required Course Material & Educational Supplies $1,100 $1,100 $1,100
Housing & Meals $15,928 $15,928 $15,928
Personal $4,942 $4,942 $4,942
Transportation $920 $920 $920
Loan Fees $268 $268 $268
TOTAL COA $53,626 $73,282 $56,182

Notes

  • Fourth-Year Pharmacy students have an additional $420 for Summer Segregated Fees, $1,000 for credential/licensure, and $1,000 for transportation added to their total cost.

Veterinary Medicine

2025-26 ESTIMATED Academic Year Cost of Attendance

1st Year 2nd & 3rd Year 4th Year
Tuition & Fees $37,758 $37,758 $37,758
Required Course Material & Educational Supplies $1,480 $1,780 $1,540
Housing & Meals $16,414 $16,414 $16,414
Personal $5,000 $5,000 $5,000
Transportation $920 $920 $1,227
Loan Fees $272 $272 $272
WI Resident Total $61,855 $62,144 $69,349
Non Resident Extra Tuition $22,666 $22,666 $22,666
Non Resident Transportation $580 $580 $773
Non Resident Total $85,090 $85,390 $92,788

2024-25 ESTIMATED Academic Year Cost of Attendance

1st Year 2nd & 3rd Year 4th Year
Tuition & Fees $36,290 $36,290 $36,290
Required Course Material & Educational Supplies $1,480 $1,780 $1,540
Housing & Meals $15,928 $15,928 $21,237
Personal $4,942 $4,942 $6,589
Transportation $920 $920 $1,227
Loan Fees $268 $268 $268
WI Resident Total $59,828 $60,128 $67,151
Non-Resident Extra Tuition $21,794 $21,794 $21,794
Non-Resident Transportation $580 $580 $773
Non-Resident Total $82,202 $82,502 $86,869

Notes

  • Fourth-Year Vet Med students have $720 added for credential/licensure.

Medicine

2025-26 ESTIMATED Academic Year Cost of Attendance

Med 1
(1st year)
Med 2
(2nd year)
Med 3
(3rd year)
Med 4
(4th year)
Tuition & Fees $44,410 $44,410 $44,410 $44,410
Books $1,390 $1,606 $1,104 $1,046
Instruments $860 n/a n/a n/a
Laptop Computer $1,250 n/a n/a n/a
Rotational Travel n/a $470 $470 $470
Additional Travel n/a n/a n/a $8,776
National Boards and Licensure n/a n/a $2,620 $1,275
Loan Fees $272 $272 $272 $272
Annual Living Expenses* $30,501 $34,859 $34,859 $34,859
Total WI Resident Budget $78,683 $81,617 $83,735 $91,108
Non Resident Tuition Add-On $18,123 $18,123 $18,123 $18,123
Non-Resident Transportation $677 $773 $773 $773
Total Non-Resident Budget $97,483 $100,513 $102,631 $110,004

*Additional Living Expenses

Med 1
(1st year)
Med 2
(2nd year)
Med 3
(3rd year)
Med 4
(4th year)
Rent, Utilities, & Renter’s Insurance $1,310.44 $1,310.44 $1,310.44 $1,310.44
Food & Household $513.33 $513.33 $513.33 $513.33
Transportation $102.22 $102.22 $102.22 $102.22
Personal $978.89 $978.89 $978.89 $978.89
Monthly Living Cost Estimate $2,904.89 $2,904.89 $2,904.89 $2,904.89
Months in Academic Year** 10.5 12 12 12
Annual Living Expenses $30,501.33 $34,858.67 $34,858.67 $34,858.67

2024-25 ESTIMATED Academic Year Cost of Attendance

Med 1
(1st year)
Med 2
(2nd year)
Med 3
(3rd year)
Med 4
(4th year)
Tuition & Fees $43,288 $43,288 $43,288 $43,288
Books $1,390 $1,606 $1,104 $1,046
Instruments $860 n/a n/a n/a
Laptop Computer $1,250 n/a n/a n/a
Rotational Travel n/a $470 $470 $470
Additional Travel n/a n/a n/a $8,776
National Boards and Licensure n/a n/a $2,620 $1,275
Loan Fees $268 $268 $268 $268
Annual Living Expenses* $29,867 $34,133 $34,133 $34,133
Total WI Resident Budget $76,928 $79,765 $81,883 $89,256
Non Resident Tuition Add-On $17,680 $17,680 $17,680 $17,680
Non-Resident Transportation $677 $773 $773 $773
Total Non-Resident Budget $95,279 $98,219 $100,337 $107,710

*Additional Living Expenses

Med 1
(1st year)
Med 2
(2nd year)
Med 3
(3rd year)
Med 4
(4th year)
Rent, Utilities, & Renter’s Insurance $1,256.44 $1,256.44 $1,256.44 $1,256.44
Food & Household $513.33 $513.33 $513.33 $513.33
Transportation $102.22 $102.22 $102.22 $102.22
Personal $972.44 $972.44 $972.44 $972.44
Monthly Living Cost Estimate $2,844.44 $2,844.44 $2,844.44 $2,844.44
Months in Academic Year** 10.5 12 12 12
Annual Living Expenses $29,866.67 $34,133.33 $34,133.33 $34,133.33

Notes

  • Med 4 students are required to take the USMLE Step II Clinical Skills exam. The cost is $1,275 plus transportation and/or hotel (one night) to the test site (probably Chicago). We may adjust financial aid for Med 4’s for this cost by request.

Historical COAs

If you need a cost of attendance from a previous academic year, you can use this tool to search for the correct year and program. If you need an academic year that is not currently listed, please contact our office.

Historic Cost of Attendance

UW-Madison Online COA

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Fall 2025 & Spring 2026

2025-26 ESTIMATED Academic Year Cost of Attendance

All Residencies
Tuition & Fees $16,200
Required Course Material & Educational Supplies $700
Housing & Meals $14,520
Personal $2,570
Transportation $600
Loan Fees $68
Total $34,658
Additional costs
Computer Allowance for Incoming Students  $1,100
New Student Experience Fees (FYR)  $330

Notes for fully online undergraduate degrees

Tuition

  • Tuition for UW–Madison Online courses is $500 per credit hour depending on your enrolled degree path.
  • For UW–Madison Online, the tuition rate is the same for all students regardless of whether you are a resident of Wisconsin.

Fees

Financial Aid

  • Students enrolled in UW-Madison Online programs only need to submit the FAFSA®. Do not submit the CSS Profile.
  • Students in these online programs are not eligible for UW-Madison Promise Programs or institutional financial aid, including, but not limited to Bucky’s Pell Pathway, Bucky’s Tuition Promise, Badger Promise, BANNER, and the Wisconsin Tribal Educational Promise.

COA Definitions & Details

  • The tuition rates listed in our cost of attendance are estimates only. To view actual tuition and fees for your specific degree and/or program, visit the Bursar’s Office Tuition Rates page
  • Assessed by and paid to the Bursar’s Office
  • Billed by the Bursar’s Office to you, the student, and your authorized payer(s)
  • Tuition is the cost for instruction.
  • Segregated Fees are charges in addition to instructional fees assessed to most students for services, programs and facilities that support the primary mission of the university. UW-Madison Online students do not pay these fees.
  • An Official Document Fee is charged to all new UW-Madison students; beginning Fall 2021 it will be $130.
  • An allowance for the cost of housing (whether on- or off-campus or at home with family) and food
  • Estimates are created by surveying students and local housing resources to determine an average of what students are spending
  • Your exact housing (room) amount may vary depending on WHERE you choose to live
    • University Housing
      • Billed with tuition & fees by the Bursar’s Office.  You, the student, will be charged based on your selected room type.
    • Off-campus
      • Options can vary drastically so research all of your available options to find what’s affordable for you.  The Campus Area Housing website is a great starting point.
      • Make sure to understand your lease, security deposit and monthly rent, as most off-campus housing options will not formally bill you.
    • Commuter
      • Students living at home with a parent or other family do not have the same expenses for housing and meals and therefore will have a lower estimated amount.
  • Your meal costs may also vary depending on your own spending (and eating) habits.
  • An allowance for the costs of your course-related materials
  • This is NOT a billable cost – UW-Madison does not have a book purchasing/renting program though some courses use eTextbooks with an associated fee.  Course-specific books are typically on hold at the library for use, otherwise you are responsible for purchasing your course material and supplies and can do so from any vendor.
  • A one-time allowance for the purchase of a computer is added to this component during your first year.

This is NOT a billable cost.  However, these are general expenses that you will likely incur maintaining a healthy lifestyle and will vary depending on your specific spending habits.

Undergraduates

An allowance for clothing and upkeep, health care (not including insurance), personal/recreation, and a cell phone.

Graduate/Professionals

All of the above, plus an allowance for health insurance, separate from your general health care costs.

This is NOT a billable cost.  However, these are general expenses that you will likely incur traveling to and from campus.

Living On- and Off-Campus

An allowance for a UW student bus pass and travel home a few times each semester.

Living at Home

An allowance for the cost of traveling to and from campus, operating and maintaining a vehicle, and parking.

  • An allowance for the cost of any Federal Direct loan fee, origination fee, or insurance premium charged to the student or a parent borrower.
  • These costs are estimated as average costs incurred by loan borrowers at UW-Madison.
  • These estimates do not include the costs associated with non-Federal loans.

Some additional expenses can be accounted for with documentation, but are not necessarily included automatically:

  • Childcare costs for a dependent child of a student
  • Approved study abroad programs
  • Disability-related expenses

Our team can account for these costs when you submit a Budget Adjustment eForm through your Student Center.

Your cost of attendance for the summer term is built using multiple factors.

  • Summer Tuition & Fees. Similar to the academic year, these are estimated based on your enrollment.
  • Summer Required Course Materials & Educational Supplies. It is typically half of the academic year’s estimate.
  • Summer Living Expenses – This is a prorated cost per week of enrollment.  A weekly living expense is calculated by estimating the weekly cost of housing, meals, personal, and travel costs multiplied by the number of weeks you are enrolled during the summer.

If you believe your cost of attendance does not accurately reflect your own specific charges and expenses, it is possible for our team to review and possibly adjust the amounts in each category.

To have your additional costs considered:

  • Submit the Budget Adjustment eForm in your MyUW Student Center.
  • Once in your Student Center, select the Student eForms tile and then click on the Financial Aid folder. You’ll see the Budget Adjustment eForm listed.

Documentation is required for each expense category.

Our team will be in contact within 2 – 3 weeks with the results of your request.