Lifelong learning
Education in the Madison Region is ongoing and lifelong. Supported by a strong K-12 education system, the region's higher education systems include a wealth 4-year colleges and universities; 2-year community, technical, and trade colleges; and training and programs for individuals of all ages.
Our higher education system is internationally recognized, and our educational attainment exceeds the national average in several significant areas. A recent Bizjournals study ranked Madison "as the U.S. metropolitan area with the strongest brainpower", in a "study of the nation's 100 largest markets".
Quality higher education in the Madison Region means a skilled and varied workforce, a thriving and diverse culture, and endless opportunities for learning and growth.
Our higher education system is internationally recognized, and our educational attainment exceeds the national average in several significant areas. A recent Bizjournals study ranked Madison "as the U.S. metropolitan area with the strongest brainpower", in a "study of the nation's 100 largest markets".
Quality higher education in the Madison Region means a skilled and varied workforce, a thriving and diverse culture, and endless opportunities for learning and growth.
Focus: Colleges and Universities
University of Wisconsin-Madison doesn't just have a great sports team. Students are applying in record numbers (25,000 freshman applications were turned in this fall) for the nine undergraduate schools and colleges at UW-Madison offering 160 majors, 40 certificate programs, and 4,200 course options. In addition, UW-Madison is leading the nation in research expenditures, and UW researchers recently reported the ability to use human skin cells to create cells indistinguishable from embryonic stem cells, gaining international recognition.
The University of Wisconsin system extends throughout the region to UW-Baraboo/Sauk County) (which boasts an average class size of 24) and UW-Whitewater, which has helped launch the careers of more than 60,000 alumni. Add private institutions like Beloit College, and it's no wonder that people marvel at the high numbers of college-educated individuals in the entire Madison Region.
The University of Wisconsin system extends throughout the region to UW-Baraboo/Sauk County) (which boasts an average class size of 24) and UW-Whitewater, which has helped launch the careers of more than 60,000 alumni. Add private institutions like Beloit College, and it's no wonder that people marvel at the high numbers of college-educated individuals in the entire Madison Region.
Focus: Two-Year Colleges
The region and its residents also benefit from its community, technical, and training colleges. One of many examples is MATC, or Madison Area Technical College. According to a recent article, more than 43,000 students attend MATC at its seven campuses, with ninety percent of graduates taking high-tech jobs in the Madison Region.
Providing training for over 100 careers, it's no wonder that more than 90% of MATC graduates find jobs in their field within 6 months of graduation. In addition, a recent longitudinal follow-up study showed the growth in earnings for Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) graduates was nearly twice the rate of inflation during the past five years - and that the growth for MATC students was even higher.
Read about the WTCS study.
View MATC results.
MATC also ensures guaranteed admission for junior and senior year to both UW-Madison and UW-Whitewater to students who obtain a two-year liberal arts associate degree at MATC.
Providing training for over 100 careers, it's no wonder that more than 90% of MATC graduates find jobs in their field within 6 months of graduation. In addition, a recent longitudinal follow-up study showed the growth in earnings for Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) graduates was nearly twice the rate of inflation during the past five years - and that the growth for MATC students was even higher.
Read about the WTCS study.
View MATC results.
MATC also ensures guaranteed admission for junior and senior year to both UW-Madison and UW-Whitewater to students who obtain a two-year liberal arts associate degree at MATC.
One-of-a-Kind
The UW-Madison now offers a Master of Science in Biotechnology - the only degree of its kind in the United States - providing a unique and direct talent pipeline for the region's biotechnology cluster.
Learn more
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Top in Research Spending
The NSF recently ranked the UW-Madison as the second-highest public university in the nation for R&D spending, greater than Harvard and MIT combined.
New! Grants to Low-Income Students Largest in Wisconsin History
The largest gift to low-income students in Wisconsin history will provide $175 million for grants to graduates of public schools to attend the state's public colleges and universities and will boost the state 's Wisconsin
Covenant program.
Covenant program.
Beyond the Classroom
The Wisconsin Idea is "the principle that education should influence and improve people's lives beyond the university classroom."
Quality education extends into economics, health, culture, and quality of life. This idea thrives in the entire Madison Region because of it's wealth of higher education resources.
Quality education extends into economics, health, culture, and quality of life. This idea thrives in the entire Madison Region because of it's wealth of higher education resources.