University of Wisconsin-Madison
Cost of Attendance Breakdown
| Annual Cost of Attendance | $69,487 |
| Tuition & Fees | $53,073 |
| Living Expenses | $16,414 |
| Federal Loan Cap (Graduate) | −$20,500 |
| Annual Funding Gap | $48,987 |
Cover Your $48,987 Gap
University of Wisconsin-Madison MBA students typically need $48,987 in private loans per year to bridge the gap between federal aid and cost of attendance. Pre-qualify with a soft credit check — no impact to your score.
Based on our analysis of 7,333 programs at 1,861 universities · thefundinggap.org
What This Means for You
Large gap — private loans likely required
At $48,987/year ($97,975 over the full 2-year program), the funding gap for University of Wisconsin-Madison MBA is substantial. Most students in this situation use a combination of private loans, institutional aid, and personal resources.
- Shop private loans carefully — a cosigner can significantly reduce your rate
- Ask University of Wisconsin-Madison about institutional scholarships, especially merit-based awards
- Consider whether a funded alternative (research/teaching assistantship) exists in your field
- File FAFSA early to maximize eligibility for any need-based institutional aid
Need help navigating financial aid? Start with FAFSA
In-State vs. Out-of-State
In-State (Resident)
Out-of-State (Non-Resident)
Out-of-state students face a $23,648 larger gap per year due to non-resident tuition surcharges.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the federal loan limit for University of Wisconsin-Madison MBA students?
Under the OBBBA (effective July 1, 2026), University of Wisconsin-Madison MBA students can borrow up to $20,500 per year in federal Direct Loans. This is the graduate annual cap. The aggregate lifetime limit is $100,000 for graduate students.
Can I still get a Grad PLUS loan for University of Wisconsin-Madison?
No. Starting July 1, 2026, the Grad PLUS loan program is eliminated under the OBBBA. All graduate and professional students are subject to fixed annual borrowing caps ($20,500/year for graduate programs). Students who need additional funding beyond the cap must use private loans, institutional aid, scholarships, or personal funds.
How much does University of Wisconsin-Madison MBA cost per year?
The total cost of attendance for University of Wisconsin-Madison MBA is $69,487 per year. Over the full 2-year program, the total cost is $138,975.
What is the funding gap for University of Wisconsin-Madison MBA?
The annual funding gap is $48,987, calculated as the difference between the total cost of attendance ($69,487) and the federal loan cap ($20,500). Over the full 2-year program, the total gap is $97,975. This is above the national median of $18,222 for Business (MBA) programs.
Is University of Wisconsin-Madison MBA classified as graduate or professional?
University of Wisconsin-Madison MBA is classified as graduate under 34 CFR § 668.2. This means the annual federal loan cap is $20,500/year, with an aggregate limit of $100,000.
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MBA programs are classified as Graduate — capped at $20,500/year. 99.4% of programs exceed the limit.
Read more →Sources & Methodology
Data Sources
- Cost of attendance: Sourced from University of Wisconsin-Madison’s official tuition and fees page for the 2025–2026 academic year.
- Federal loan caps: Defined by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), Public Law 119-21, Title VIII, Section 81001, amending 20 U.S.C. § 1087e(a), paragraph 4(A)(i).
- IPEDS data: Institutional characteristics from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (NCES), Unit ID: 240444.
- Program classification: MBA is classified as graduate per 34 CFR § 668.2, with an annual federal loan cap of $20,500.
Methodology
- Funding gap = Cost of Attendance − Federal Loan Cap. Negative values are reported as $0.
- Cost of attendance includes tuition, mandatory fees, and estimated living expenses (housing, food, books, transportation, personal).
- Rankings compare programs within the same degree type nationally, sorted by annual funding gap from lowest to highest.
- Default COA assumes full-time enrollment, out-of-state residency (where applicable), no scholarships or grants, and no prior federal debt.
Data last updated: January 2026. Effective date for OBBBA loan caps: July 1, 2026.
A non-resident student at University of Wisconsin-Madison MBA faces an annual funding gap of $48,987 based on a cost of attendance of $69,487 minus the federal graduate loan cap of $20,500. Over 2 years, the total funding gap is $97,975. Based on data from “The 2026 Graduate Education Funding Crisis — A Data Report” available on thefundinggap.org.