Lori Meadows
The University of Wisconsin–Madison, with a total undergraduate enrollment of 37,817 students in Fall 2023, is home to students from 110 countries, with the majority of international students coming from China, India, and South Korea. While the racial/ethnic breakdown of the student population is not readily available, sources indicate that the majority of students are White, and the university has a history of Asian-American students dating back to at least 1920, with records of Chinese and Japanese students. The university also offers an Asian American Studies Program, which celebrated its 35th anniversary in 2021.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total undergraduate enrollment | 37,817 (fall 2023) |
| Campus size | 936 acres |
| In-state tuition fees | $11,603 |
| Out-of-state tuition fees | $42,103 |
| Number of female students | 23,281 |
| Number of male students | 21,359 |
| Number of female teachers | 8,517 |
| Number of male teachers | 8,316 |
| Geographic diversity ranking | 305 out of 2,183 |
| Percentage of out-of-state students | 37.87% |
| Percentage of international students | 8.38% |
| Number of countries represented by international students | 110 |
| Top countries of origin for international students | China, India, and South Korea |
| Age diversity score | 72.24 out of 100 |
| Percentage of traditional college-age students | 60.03% |
| Racial/ethnic diversity | Below average |
| Majority racial/ethnic group | White |
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What You'll Learn
History of Asian-American students at UW–Madison
The history of Asian-American students at UW–Madison is a long and complex one, dating back to the early 20th century. One of the earliest known Asian-American students at UW–Madison was Miyoshi Ikawa, a Japanese student who attended graduate school at the university in 1942 to study biochemistry. Ikawa's experience sheds light on the racial and cultural stereotypes that Asian-American students faced during this time. The "'Wisconsin Hopes to Dispel Lethargy'" article, published in the Daily Cardinal in 1916, reflects these stereotypes, as it details a program sponsored by the YMCA that sought to "civilize" Chinese youth and students and develop them culturally and intellectually.
In the 1970s and 1980s, Asian-American students at UW–Madison began to organize and advocate for themselves. In 1973, they contacted the Chicago chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) to request help in dealing with a university that seemed unresponsive to their needs. The following year, they published "Rice Paper," the first Asian American student publication in the Midwest, which served as a central clearinghouse for information and discussion targeted at Asian Americans attending universities in the region.
Throughout the 1980s, a number of incidents on campus highlighted the lack of support for Asian American and other students of color at UW–Madison. One notable incident occurred in 1987 when the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity displayed a racist 15-foot cutout effigy of a Black man with a bone through his nose at their annual "Fiji Island" party. Asian American students joined Chicano/Chicana, and Black students in denouncing this racist display, forming the Minority Coalition. This activism led to the creation of the Steering Committee on Minority Affairs at UW–Madison, chaired by a student member.
During this time, Asian-American students also organized events to highlight their heritage and culture. The Chinese Student Association at UW–Madison, for example, hosted an event that included traditional Chinese songs, performances, and plays, as well as a speech comparing Chinese democracy to American democracy. These efforts reflected the students' desire to interweave themselves into the UW–Madison community.
In more recent years, UW–Madison has made strides in recognizing and celebrating Asian American culture and studies. In 2021, the Asian American Studies Program celebrated its 35th anniversary on campus, acknowledging the rich history and activism that led to its institutionalization. The program continues to offer courses that fulfill Gen Ed requirements, as well as a minor in Asian American Studies. Notable faculty members include Dr. Rachel Kuo, who joined the UW-Madison community in 2024 as an Assistant Professor in Gender and Women Studies and Asian American Studies, and Professor Thao, who joined as an Assistant Professor of Anthropology and Asian American Studies.
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Asian American Studies program at UW-Madison
The University of Wisconsin-Madison has had Asian students as early as 1916, as evidenced by a "Wisconsin in China" article from the Daily Cardinal published on March 7, 1916. The article mentions a Chinese Student Club event that included activities highlighting Chinese heritage and culture, such as traditional Chinese songs and performances.
In 1942, Miyoshi Ikawa, a Japanese student, attended graduate school at UW–Madison to study Biochemistry.
Fast forward to the present day, and UW-Madison now offers an interdisciplinary Asian American Studies Program. The program focuses on the scholarship and experiences of Americans, Pacific Islanders, and immigrants to the United States from various Asian heritage groups. It sheds light on Asian American experiences and concerns, both historically and in contemporary society.
The Asian American Studies Program offers a certificate with 12 credits, emphasizing Asian American Studies or Hmong American Studies. Students can also minor in Asian American Studies, fulfilling Gen Ed requirements. The program also serves as a teaching and resource center for the University and the wider Madison community.
The program covers a range of topics, including Asian American History, Literature, Women Writers, Midwest Asians, Hmong American Studies, Contemporary Legal Issues in Asian American Communities, Mixed-Race Asian Americans, Asian American Cultural Politics, Southeast Asian Americans in US Schools, Asian American Dance, and Afro-Asian Improvisational Dance.
The AAS also co-hosts Study Breaks each semester, providing treats and activities for students to connect and de-stress.
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International students at UW-Madison
The University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison) is a diverse campus with students from 110 countries. The majority of international students come from China, India, and South Korea. 8.38% of the student population are international students, which equates to approximately 3,158 students based on the total undergraduate enrolment of 37,817 in Fall 2023.
UW-Madison has a long history of Asian-American students. As early as 1916, the university had a Chinese Student Club, which organised events to highlight Chinese heritage and culture, such as the singing of traditional Chinese songs and performances. In 1942, Miyoshi Ikawa, a Japanese student, attended graduate school at UW-Madison to study biochemistry.
The university offers a rich array of courses and extracurricular activities for international students. The Asian American Studies Program, for instance, has been celebrating its 35th anniversary on campus. The program offers a certificate with 12 credits, with an emphasis on Asian American Studies or Hmong American Studies. Each semester, the AAS hosts Study Breaks with treats and activities for students to connect and de-stress.
The university also has a Chinese Student Association, which organises events to showcase Chinese culture and heritage. One such event included a speech that compared Chinese democracy to American democracy and emphasised why democracy would always be strong in China.
UW-Madison ranks 305 out of 2,183 when it comes to geographic diversity. The undergraduate student body is spread across 44 states. The campus size is 936 acres, and the university is ranked #39 in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges in the category of National Universities.
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Racial/ethnic diversity at UW-Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison (UW-Madison) has a total undergraduate enrolment of 37,817 students as of Fall 2023. The campus size is 936 acres. The majority of students at UW-Madison are white, and the racial/ethnic diversity of the student body is below average. The university attracts students from 110 countries, with the majority of international students coming from China, India, and South Korea. 37.87% of students come from out of state, and 8.38% are from outside the United States.
UW-Madison has an Asian American Studies program, which offers a certificate with 12 credits, with an emphasis on Asian American Studies or Hmong American Studies. The program has been running for 35 years, and co-hosts study breaks each semester with treats and activities for students to connect and de-stress. The university also has a Chinese Student Association, which organises events to highlight Chinese heritage and culture, including the singing of traditional Chinese songs, performances, and plays.
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Gender diversity at UW-Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison (UW–Madison) is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background. The university values the contributions of each individual and respects the ways in which their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinions enrich the university community.
UW–Madison has a total enrollment of approximately 44,640 students, comprising 30,063 undergraduates and 9,824 graduates. The full-time undergraduate population is made up of 52% women and 48% men, while among graduate students, 52% are women and 48% are men. The university ranks 305 out of 2,183 for geographic diversity, with 37.87% of students coming from out of state and 8.38% from abroad. UW–Madison students come from 44 states and over 110 countries, with the majority of international students from China, India, and South Korea.
The university scores 72.24 out of 100 for age diversity, with 60.03% of students falling into the traditional college student age bracket of 18-21, compared to a national average of 60%.
UW–Madison also demonstrates gender diversity among its faculty, with more female teachers than male. There are approximately 8,517 female teachers and 8,316 male teachers.
UW–Madison's commitment to diversity is further reflected in its Engagement, Inclusion, and Diversity (EID) initiative, developed in 2011 by the Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration. The EID initiative aims to create a work community where every employee feels welcomed, valued, included, and heard, fostering an environment where employees can be their authentic selves.
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