The Wisconsin School of Business at the University of Wisconsin-Madison rose five spots to No. 22 in P&Q’s 2025 ranking of the Best Undergraduate Business Programs of the U.S.
Of our three methodological categories, it scored highest in Admission Standards, finishing 17th out of 104 ranked programs. It also finished 35th in Career Outcomes and 51st in Academic Experience which is based on our alumni survey.
Wisconsin’s acceptance rate was 17.7% for the most recent incoming class and their average SAT score remained at 1424. The school’s 6-year graduation rate is 92.4%
The Wisconsin business experience is best characterized as one that emphasizes leadership development and plentiful opportunities to explore career interests both in and out the classroom.
Wisconsin’s internship rate – the percentage of graduates who completed at least one business-focused internship during the program – has been 87% for the last two classes. The employment rate rose slightly: 94.5% for the Class of 2024 compared to 94% for the Class of 2023. That metric measures the percentage of job-seeking graduates who secure full-time positions within three months of graduation.
Starting salaries were also up, with this year’s Class of 2024 earning an average of $73,896 compared to $73,301 for the previous class. 31% of 2024 grads reported receiving signing bonuses at an average of $6,687.
Top employers for the 2024 class includes Deloitte, JP Morgan, PwC, Baker Tilly, EY, Uline, Baird, Epic Systems, Grainger, and JLL.
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, Finance, Investment and Banking, Information Systems, International Business, Management and Human Resources, 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 a Capstone Certificate in Actuarial Science and Foreign Language Certificates.
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 negotiate job offers. Students also benefit from career treks to top employers, a sophomore finance internship program, and an extensive winter break job shadow program. Nearly all Business Badgers complete at least one internship, and more than 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 master’s in accountancy 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 or faculty sponsor.
Beyond the classroom, the Leadership and Engagement Office supports 60 student organizations integrated into the school’s leadership framework, 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 Style” and “Group Dynamics” 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 resume, 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.
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.”
