Parts of this editorial were updated with AI assistance and edited by Poets&Quants.
The Wisconsin School of Business at the University of Wisconsin-Madison rose one spot to No. 21 in P&Q’s 2026 ranking of the Best Undergraduate Business Programs in the U.S.
Of our three methodological categories, it scored highest in Admission Standards, finishing 19th out of 104 ranked programs. It also finished 36th in Career Outcomes and 49th in Academic Experience, which is based on our alumni survey.
Wisconsin’s acceptance rate was 15.7% for the most recent incoming class and its average SAT score was 1414. The school’s 6-year graduation rate is 93.0%.
The Wisconsin business experience is best characterized as one that emphasizes leadership development and plentiful opportunities to explore career interests both in and out of the classroom. Wisconsin now highlights more than 40 career pathways alongside its undergraduate majors, giving students a clearer way to connect academic choices with career goals.
Wisconsin’s internship rate — the percentage of graduates who completed at least one business-focused internship during the program — was 87.0% for the Class of 2024 and 93.7% for the Class of 2025. The employment rate was 94.5% for the Class of 2024 and 93.4% for the Class of 2025. Starting salaries were also up, with the Class of 2025 earning an average of $74,458 compared to $73,896 for the previous class. 36.0% of 2025 grads reported receiving signing bonuses at an average of $6,416.
Top employers for the 2025 class include EY, Deloitte, JP Morgan, Target, PwC, Epic Systems, TTI, UW-Madison, U.S. Bank, Wells Fargo, and BMO.
CURRICULUM
The Wisconsin School of Business offers a transformative experience designed to develop empathetic, intellectually confident, and purpose-driven business leaders. Through a combination of rigorous academics, leadership development, and hands-on learning, Business Badgers graduate with both technical expertise and a broad-based liberal arts education.
The program is highly flexible, allowing students to choose from 12 majors, add certificates, or pursue curricular skill-based badges tailored to their career interests. Majors include Accounting, Actuarial Science, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Investment, and Banking, Human Resource Management, Information Systems, Management, Marketing, Operations and Technology Management, Real Estate, Risk Management and Insurance, and Supply Chain Management.
The curriculum for each major incorporates business studies with a foundation in the liberal arts, with many of the liberal arts courses being taken outside of the School of Business. Business majors also can add a certificate to their studies, including the Accounting Certificate for non-accounting majors and the Consulting Certificate. The redesigned curriculum also features newer courses such as Sustainable Capitalism, Human-Centered Design and Business, Cloud-Based Analytics, and the Integrated Strategic Leadership capstone.
STUDENT EXPERIENCE
Professional preparation is at the heart of the Wisconsin Business Badger Experience. The Career Forward program helps students explore majors and industries, navigate recruiting timelines, secure internships, and connect academic planning to specific career pathways. Students also benefit from career coaching, recruiting events, and networking opportunities with employers and alumni.
Nearly all Business Badgers complete at least one internship, and about 40% study abroad, gaining invaluable intercultural experience that prepares them for leadership on the global stage.
The newly redesigned curriculum ensures students graduate with the knowledge and skills to tackle modern business challenges. Four new courses — Sustainable Capitalism, Human-Centered Design and Business, Cloud-Based Analytics, and an Integrated Strategic Leadership Capstone — provide cutting-edge insights and hands-on learning.
Additionally, the accounting certificate for non-accounting majors offers a direct path to the MS in Financial Management and Accounting program, while the consulting certificate, one of the fastest-growing on campus, equips students with the skills needed to break into the field. Every student in the strategic leadership capstone completes an experiential learning project with a company sponsor.
Beyond the classroom, the Accenture Leadership Center and related student programming support more than 70 business-focused student organizations, helping students develop an inclusive leadership style based on integrity, equity, and community engagement. The Multicultural Center, a one-of-a-kind resource among business schools, provides a dedicated space for underrepresented students and fosters a culture of learning and growth for all.
BUSINESS BADGER BADGES
The Business Badger Badge program offers workshops, experiences, and opportunities to help undergraduate business students gain a deeper understanding of specific skill sets and competencies.
Students in the program choose badges including Personal Leadership Styles, Group Dynamics, Inclusive Leadership, and Leading for Change and complete the criteria for their chosen track. Once they complete the criteria for a track, they earn a badge that serves as a credential to share on their résumé, LinkedIn, or with potential employers.
The program is unique because it specifically addresses the increased demand for soft skill competencies in modern business. Through these badges, Wisconsin students can highlight what types of soft skills they developed during their business education and build a more well-rounded candidacy for the career they choose to pursue professionally.
The Wisconsin capstone projects are one of the best ways for students to explore their interests in a particular field or career. These capstone projects often include a team component in understanding a real-world issue and coming up with a comprehensive solution. Through Integrated Strategic Leadership, students work in cross-functional teams on experiential learning projects with companies.
ALUMNI SAY
“Throughout my time at WSB, I was engaged in a variety of experiences. During one of my classes we ran a multi-day simulation in which we performed all activities required to run a production plant including production scheduling, raw material purchase planning, distribution planning and more. This gave me a real-life idea of how a supply chain functions end to end for a CPG company and directly served me in my career tasks post graduation.
The scenarios we faced during this simulation were identical to scenarios I face during my work today which has been extremely beneficial.”
“My experience with this program/degree was great – I landed in an ideal role (at a great company) after graduation & feel that I was set up for success w/ the experience & knowledge needed.”
“The quality of education I received at the Wisconsin School of Business is unparalleled. The professors, advisors, counselors, and other faculty members provided countless opportunities for me to learn, grow, and reach my full potential as a student at Wisconsin.”
“WSB education was quite good, with exceptional value for money (especially for Wisconsin & Minnesota residents). The alumni network is something that I felt was incredibly strong as an Undergraduate student and am proud to be a part of today. Every time a current UW-Madison student reaches out to me, I’m always happy to help in any way I can.”
“Strong program and it gave exposure to many aspects of business outside of my major.”
