University of Wisconsin–Madison GRE requirements (2026)
The UW–Madison Graduate School does not require the GRE, but individual programs may. Many high-demand programs such as Computer Sciences have dropped the requirement entirely, while quantitative PhD programs like Economics and Agricultural & Applied Economics still require scores.
About University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public land-grant research university and the flagship of the University of Wisconsin System. Graduate admissions are administered centrally through the Graduate School in coordination with individual programs.
GRE requirement by program
University of Wisconsin–Madison sets its GRE policy by program, so there is rarely a single university-wide answer. Below is each program we have checked, with its status, a link to the program's own admissions page, and the date we last confirmed it.
| Program | Status | Official source | Last checked |
|---|---|---|---|
Graduate School / central policy PhD and masters | Varies by program The Graduate School's requirements page states: "The Graduate School does not require the GRE. Your academic program may or may not require it." Applicants are directed to check their program's website, and any required scores are submitted to ETS institution code 1846. | info.grad.wisc.edu | Jun 2026 |
Computer Sciences (MS, PhD) MS and PhD | Optional The Computer Sciences admissions page states the GRE is not required: "Neither the Graduate School nor the Department of Computer Sciences requires the GRE for admission." GRE scores are optional but may be reviewed if submitted. | cs.wisc.edu | Jun 2026 |
Economics (PhD) PhD | Required The UW–Madison Guide entry for the Economics PhD states applicants must submit three letters of recommendation and Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores, and the admissions detail lists GRE as Required. | guide.wisc.edu | Jun 2026 |
Agricultural & Applied Economics (MS, PhD) MS and PhD | Required The Agricultural & Applied Economics apply page states GRE scores are required for admission and must be from within the previous five years, and that GMAT scores are not accepted in lieu of the GRE. The page's wording references a prior cycle, so applicants should confirm the requirement still stands for the current cycle. | aae.wisc.edu | Jun 2026 |
Wisconsin School of Business (MBA and specialised masters) MBA and masters | Optional The Wisconsin School of Business typically accepts either the GMAT or the GRE for its MBA and several specialised master's programs, with test waivers available for qualifying applicants. Confirm the current cycle's policy on the school's admissions page. | business.wisc.edu | Jul 2026 |
College of Engineering (graduate programs) MS and PhD | Varies by program GRE policy at the College of Engineering is set per department. Several departments have made the GRE optional or dropped it in recent cycles, while others may still require or recommend scores. Check the specific department's admissions page. | grad.wisc.edu | Jul 2026 |
Each status was read from the program's own admissions page (last checked 02 07 2026). Policies change between cycles; always confirm on the linked official page before you apply.
Not the program you need? The status is set department by department. Use the three-step check on the is the GRE required page to confirm any program in a couple of minutes.
What GRE score do you need for University of Wisconsin–Madison?
There is no single University of Wisconsin–Madison GRE cutoff, because programs admit on the whole application and most do not publish a hard minimum. In practice, aim for a score at or above the admitted-student median for your specific program, which some departments share in a class profile or on request. A percentile around the 80th or higher on the section that matters most to your field, Quant for STEM and economics or Verbal for the humanities, is a safe target wherever a score is worth submitting.
Where University of Wisconsin–Madison marks a program Optional, a score comfortably above that median can strengthen a borderline application, especially for funded or international applicants. Below it, your effort is usually better spent on the required parts of the file. Where a program is Not accepted, do not send a score, it will not be reviewed.
Unsure where you would land? Sit a free full-length mock and convert your scaled score to its exact official percentile before you decide.
GRE requirements at other universities
Compare University of Wisconsin–Madisonwith the GRE policies at other top programs. Each page is sourced from the university's own admissions pages and dated.