Study in Madison, The United States

About Madison

Madison is the capital of Wisconsin, a state in the Midwest of the United States. It is a mid-sized city: the U.S. Census Bureau estimated its population at 285,300 in 2024. The city is home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and its centre is built around the Capitol Square.

Students choose Madison for a large public research university in a city where the campus shapes daily life, and for English courses in the same place. Winters are cold, which matters for students coming from warm countries.

Studying in Madison

Our directory lists one university and two English language schools in Madison. The University of Wisconsin–Madison (UW–Madison) was founded in 1848. It is a public land-grant university and major research institution, and part of the Universities of Wisconsin, a system of 13 universities. According to College Navigator, it has 51,044 students, 38,040 of them undergraduates, and a student-to-faculty ratio of 18 to 1. Its guiding principle of public service is known as the Wisconsin Idea.

First-year applicants educated in non-English-speaking countries must send UW–Madison an official TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English Test score, unless English was the main language of instruction in all four years of secondary school. The university gives minimum scores of 6.5 for IELTS and 115 for the Duolingo English Test.

Madison is also a place to learn English. WESLI - Wisconsin ESL Institute began teaching English in 1981 and is located at 23 N Pinckney Street, on the Capitol Square. Its programmes include academic, business and general English, test preparation for TOEFL and IELTS, and junior camps. Each level generally takes eight weeks. The school states that it has agreements with nearly 30 universities and colleges that accept its students without a TOEFL score. Students can stay in a homestay or a private residence.

The academic year typically runs from September to May; WESLI is open all year.

Student visa

International students usually need an F student visa, which covers study at an accredited college or university or at an English language institute. After admission, the school's international student office sends a Form I-20 (or a DS-2019 for J exchange programmes) for the visa application. According to EducationUSA, international students may work on campus up to 20 hours a week in their first year.

Cost of living for students

International students normally pay the out-of-state rate at a public university. According to College Navigator, a first-year undergraduate at UW–Madison in 2024-25 paid $42,103 in out-of-state tuition and fees ($11,603 for Wisconsin residents) and $14,124 for food and housing on campus. The estimated total for an out-of-state student living on campus was $60,505. Confirm the current cost with the university before applying.

A single bus ride in Madison costs $2.00. Fare capping limits the cost to $5 a day, $16.25 a week or $65 a month for adults.

Getting around and daily life

Metro Transit runs the city's buses, including Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lines with their own stations. You can pay with a contactless bank card or phone, and each fare works as a two-hour pass. Routes 80 to 84 on the UW–Madison campus are free for students, staff and visitors. The city's airport is Dane County Regional Airport.

Winters are cold. NOAA's 1991-2020 normals for Dane County Regional Airport give an average temperature of 19.4 °F (about −7 °C) in January and 71.9 °F (about 22 °C) in July, so students need proper winter clothing.

Frequently asked questions

Which university is in Madison, Wisconsin?

The University of Wisconsin–Madison, a public land-grant research university founded in 1848, with 51,044 students according to College Navigator.

Can I learn English in Madison?

Yes. WESLI has taught English in Madison since 1981, with academic, business and general English, test preparation and homestays.

How much does the University of Wisconsin–Madison cost?

For 2024-25, College Navigator gives $42,103 in tuition and fees for out-of-state students and $14,124 for food and housing on campus.

What English score does UW–Madison ask for?

For first-year applicants, the university gives a minimum of 6.5 for IELTS and 115 for the Duolingo English Test; it also accepts TOEFL. Check its admissions page for the current TOEFL minimum.

How cold is Madison in winter?

Very cold by the standards of most students from warm countries: the January average at Madison's airport is about −7 °C, while July averages about 22 °C.