Admit rate has ranged 72%–99% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Edgewood University is a small, Catholic liberal arts college that offers a quiet, focused counterpoint to the sprawling University of Wisconsin just across town. With its campus nestled on the shores of Lake Wingra, it provides a tight-knit, supportive environment where three-quarters of classes have fewer than 20 students and nursing is a powerhouse major. It’s a place for students who want the resources and energy of a major college city but prefer a more intimate, values-driven campus experience where they are known by name.
Admission requirements
Test-blind — scores not considered
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
TOEFL (non-native English)
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
1,107
In-state tuition
$35,860
Out-of-state tuition
$35,860
Location
Madison, WI (Lake Wingra)
Graduation Rate
60%
Average Class Size
13
Job Placement Rate
95%
Student-Faculty Ratio
13:1
Median Earnings (10yr)
$59,728
Classes Under 20 Students
75%
First-Year Retention Rate
74%
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$59,728
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.3×
Median debt at graduation
$24,424
Graduation rate
60%
First-year retention
73%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
70%
Pell (lower-income) share
26%
First-gen share (among federal-aid recipients)
28%
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$65,812
Computer and Information Sciences, General$55,512
Human Resources Management and Services$51,482
Business Administration, Management and Operations$44,091
Communication and Media Studies$40,647
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
0
Per 1,000 students
0.00
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
94
Summer high
81°F
Winter low
16°F
Annual rain
35.5"
Annual snow
39.1"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
51
Scholarly works
680
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Edgewood University?
Edgewood University's acceptance rate is approximately 76% (Madison, WI), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
How much does Edgewood University cost?
At Edgewood University, the average net price (after aid) is about $26,113 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Edgewood University?
Edgewood University enrolls approximately 1,107 undergraduate students.
Where is Edgewood University located?
Edgewood University is located in Madison, WI.
Admissions
Edgewood University operates with an accessible admissions process, prioritizing a over cutthroat selectivity. The university is , meaning SAT or ACT scores are not required for admission. While the school is not highly selective, admissions officers do consider a student's academic record, including their high school GPA and rigor of coursework. The student body is predominantly female, with women comprising a significant majority of degree recipients. The admissions process appears to be rolling or has a standard deadline, with no specific mention of a binding Early Decision program that would significantly boost an applicant's chances, unlike the highly competitive ED cycles at elite national universities. Demonstrated interest—such as campus visits or contact with admissions—is a factor that some colleges track via the , but the provided sources do not specify Edgewood's policy on this matter.
Key Admissions Snapshot:
Test Policy: Test-optional.
Applicant Pool: The most recent data shows over 2,200 applicants for a first-year class.
Gender Dynamics: Women are admitted at a higher rate than men.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
$40,635
Business/Commerce, General$40,179
Criminal Justice and Corrections$37,424
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
The academic experience at Edgewood is defined by its small scale and high-touch faculty interaction. With a student-faculty ratio of 13:1 and an average undergraduate class size of 13, the environment is intensely personal. A striking 75% of undergraduate classes have fewer than 20 students, making large, anonymous lectures a rarity. The university offers a robust selection of over 40 undergraduate majors and 25 graduate degrees, with Registered Nursing standing out as a particularly prominent and popular program. This focus on professional preparation is underscored by the university's claim of a 95% job placement rate for graduates in their field. For adult learners, Edgewood provides a suite of 100% online graduate and doctoral programs designed for flexibility. The average first-year retention rate, a key indicator of student satisfaction, is 74%.
Life at Edgewood unfolds on a serene, 55-acre campus situated directly on the shores of Lake Wingra in Madison, Wisconsin—a location that provides a peaceful, park-like setting distinct from the bustling Big Ten atmosphere nearby. The campus is officially dry, fostering a social scene centered on student organizations, leadership opportunities, and multicultural programming coordinated by the Office of Student Involvement. Students describe the community as "small and welcoming," "compassionate," and "inclusive." The university's greatest asset is arguably its location: Madison consistently ranks as one of the nation's best college towns, offering Edgewood students immediate access to a wealth of academic, cultural, and recreational opportunities—from music and art to theatre and outdoor activities—without being immersed in a massive university's crowds. It's the ideal setup for students who want to tap into a major city's amenities but return to a quiet, close-knit campus at the end of the day.
Edgewood's outcomes reflect its mission of guiding students to completion and career readiness. The university reports strong job placement, with 95% of graduates employed in their field. Degree conferrals are heavily skewed toward women, who receive over 78% of all undergraduate and graduate awards. The most recent federal data shows a six-year graduation rate for the 2019 cohort of 61.5%, with a five-year rate at 54.9% and a four-year rate at 53.4%. Other sources cite a six-year rate as high as 67%, placing Edgewood in the top 30% of colleges nationally for this metric. U.S. News reports an average six-year graduation rate of 64%, with Pell Grant recipients graduating at a rate of 61%.
Edgewood is proactive in making its education financially accessible through institutional aid. A significant 100% of entering first-year, full-time students receive grants and scholarships from the university itself. The average financial aid package is substantial. Students and families are encouraged to use the university's Calculator to get a personalized estimate of out-of-pocket costs after accounting for grants, loans, and scholarships. The provided sources do not indicate that Edgewood University has a "no-loan" policy or a guarantee to meet 100% of demonstrated financial need without loans, which are policies typically associated with a small group of highly endowed institutions.
Edgewood University carves out a distinctive niche by offering the classic small liberal arts college experience in the heart of a major Big Ten college city. It’s not an either-or choice; students get the best of both worlds. The campus itself is a hidden gem—a beautiful, tranquil space on a lake where everyone knows your name and your professors are accessible mentors. Yet, just minutes away, is all the vibrancy, internship potential, and cultural firepower of Madison. This combination is particularly powerful for students in hands-on, high-demand fields like nursing, where the 95% job placement rate and intimate clinical training are major draws. Edgewood stands out as a purposeful community for students who might feel overwhelmed at a giant state university but still want to tap into the energy and opportunities of a top-tier college town. It’s a place where you can find your footing in a supportive environment without sacrificing access to a world-class city.
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