MADISON, WI – UW-Madison is experiencing record student interest, welcoming a diverse incoming class representing all 72 Wisconsin counties, according to data released today.Driven by access initiatives and affordability,the university’s fall enrollment reflects a surge in transfer students,particularly those who are first-generation collage students and come from Madison College.
Nearly 25% of this year’s transfer students are first-generation college students, and almost 18% previously attended Madison College. Other key transfer pipelines include UW-milwaukee,UW-green Bay,UW Oshkosh,and Marquette University.
United States Air Force Veteran Pricilla Reyes exemplifies this trend.Growing up in a low-income household, Reyes said, ”As a first-generation Latina, UW-Madison felt like a dream meant for someone else.” After graduating high school “with no money and poor grades” and serving in the Air Force, she enrolled at Madison College and then the odyssey beyond Wars program, part of UW-Madison’s Odyssey project. “the support I received from the Odyssey community was overwhelming in the best way,” Reyes said.”Every person there played a part in helping me believe I could do this.” She is now pursuing a social work degree through the Badger Ready program, aiming to expand her work with youth aging out of foster care.
Overall enrollment figures show modest declines in graduate and international student numbers, mirroring national trends. International student enrollment decreased by 7%, or 490 students.The university welcomed approximately 3,100 new graduate and professional students, a 9% decrease from the previous year, bringing total graduate enrollment to 12,637, down 3%.
The incoming class includes 1,505 underrepresented students of colour (defined as domestic students identifying as African American/Black, Vietnamese, Hmong, Laotian, Cambodian, Hispanic/Latino(a), Native hawaiian/Pacific Islander, or American Indian/Alaska Native). A record 59% of the new class identifies as female.
Enrollment data is based on the official 10th-day student census.
