Public
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Menomonie, Wisconsin
84.7% Acceptance Rate
University of Wisconsin-Stout — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
84.7%Acceptance Rate
3.35Avg GPA
1150Avg SAT
23Avg ACT
$21,618Annual Cost
$58,084Grad Salary
22.7%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
84.7%
Avg GPA
3.35
Avg SAT
1150
Avg ACT
23
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1110–1180
ACT Middle 50%
19–26
Avg Net Price
$17,365
Need-Based Aid
22.7% receive Pell
University of Wisconsin-Stout is a public institution designated as Wisconsin's Polytechnic University. With a rigorous, hands-on curriculum that integrates science, technology, and the liberal arts, the university is dedicated to providing practical, career-focused education that meets the needs of modern industry and society.
University of Wisconsin-Stout Acceptance Rate
University of Wisconsin-Stout runs an open-access admission policy. With a 84.7% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 84.7% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.35 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.15 – 3.34
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.90
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
University of Wisconsin-Stout Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
University of Wisconsin-Stout follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
University of Wisconsin-Stout reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
💡 The scholarship deadline (Priority: 2026/02/01) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
University of Wisconsin-Stout GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at University of Wisconsin-Stout is 3.35. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.05–3.35 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.55–3.75.University of Wisconsin-Stout GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.35 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.15 – 3.34
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.95 – 3.14
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.94
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- No application fee, no personal essay, and no letter of recommendation required for first-year applicants; test-optional/flexible with self-reported scores accepted.
- Direct Admit Wisconsin participant (2nd year) allows eligible students to bypass the standard application via a simplified Direct Admit form.
- Official deadline September 1, but January 1 priority applies for meaningfully better odds of securing a spot, given the polytechnic model's lab/studio capacity constraints (3x more labs/studios than lecture halls).
- BFA admission requires a separate Pre-BFA-to-BFA portfolio/essay review; Education majors require a distinct post-enrollment Benchmark I gate (30 credits, 2.75 GPA, background check) - PRAXIS I/ACT/SAT/GRE no longer required for this gate as of July 2020.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at University of Wisconsin-Stout
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on University of Wisconsin-Stout's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
University of Wisconsin-Stout Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if University of Wisconsin-Stout is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into University of Wisconsin-Stout Without SAT or ACT?
University of Wisconsin-Stout considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
University of Wisconsin-Stout Average SAT Score: 1150
The average SAT score of admitted students at University of Wisconsin-Stout is 1150 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1150 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1180 SAT or 26 ACT) to stand out. Below average? University of Wisconsin-Stout allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1110, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at University of Wisconsin-Stout. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 1150 | 1110 | 1180 |
Below 1110, you're behind most admitted students; at 1180 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1150
Can I get into University of Wisconsin-Stout with a 1200 SAT?
A 1200 SAT puts you ahead of most of University of Wisconsin-Stout's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
University of Wisconsin-Stout ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at University of Wisconsin-Stout is 23.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 23 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average ACT score.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 22 | 18 | 26 |
| ACT English | 21 | 18 | 24 |
| ACT Composite | 23 | 19 | 26 |
Can I get into University of Wisconsin-Stout with a 26 ACT?
A 26 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of University of Wisconsin-Stout's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at University of Wisconsin-Stout.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for University of Wisconsin-Stout
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
University of Wisconsin-Stout is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
Check Direct Admit Wisconsin eligibility before starting the standard application
UW-Stout's second year participating in Direct Admit Wisconsin lets eligible students bypass the traditional application entirely - if you received a Direct Admit notification letter, you only need to complete and submit the Direct Admit form, with no additional application required. Before starting a standard UW Application, check whether you already received (or qualify for) a Direct Admit letter, since duplicating effort on the full application is unnecessary if this shortcut applies to you.
Apply by January 1 even though the stated deadline is later - early applicants get real priority
While UW-Stout's official application deadline is September 1, the university explicitly states that applying early, by January 1, 2026 for Fall 2026, increases your chances of securing a spot - a meaningful gap between the stated deadline and the practical priority date. Because UW-Stout is polytechnic-focused with hands-on labs/studios that may have capacity constraints in popular programs, don't treat September 1 as your real target; treat January 1 as the functional priority deadline.
If pursuing a BFA, understand you start as Pre-BFA and need a second, separate portfolio review
Transfer and incoming students interested in the School of Art & Design's BFA programs are initially admitted as Pre-BFA, then must submit a portfolio and essay reviewed separately by art/design faculty to be granted direct admission into their specific BFA major. If you're not approved on this first portfolio review (or choose not to submit at that time), you can still apply for a change of major later, but only as space allows - treat the first review as a meaningfully real gate, not a formality, and prepare your portfolio accordingly before that initial submission window.
Education majors: track Benchmark I as a distinct post-enrollment admission event
Students entering education-track majors aren't automatically in the professional education program - they must separately complete Benchmark I: 30 credit hours (6+ at UW-Stout), a 2.75 cumulative GPA, a National Background Check (valid 3 years), and specific coursework with a C or better, occurring after initial enrollment, not before. Note that as of July 2020, PRAXIS I/ACT/SAT/GRE are no longer required for this Benchmark I review - a genuinely distinctive removal of a standardized-test gate that many peer education programs still maintain.
Expert Insight:
The recurring mistake at UW-Stout is applicants treating September 1 as the real deadline because it's the officially stated one, when the university's own messaging signals that applying by January 1 meaningfully improves admission odds due to program capacity in its hands-on, lab/studio-heavy polytechnic model. Waiting until close to September 1 can mean applying into a much more constrained remaining-seat pool than an earlier applicant faced.
University of Wisconsin-Stout Profile
Full Name
University of Wisconsin-Stout
City
Menomonie
State
Wisconsin
ZIP Code
54751
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a University of Wisconsin-Stout Degree Worth It?
University of Wisconsin-Stout offers a rigorous academic environment, but 'worth it' is a personal calculation of cost, program fit, and outcomes. The figures below are a starting point.
The average household income among admitted students is $65,000, with a graduate unemployment rate of 2.97%.
How much does a degree from University of Wisconsin-Stout Cost?
The sticker price is $21,618/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is closer to $17,365.
22.7% of students receive a Pell Grant and 48.9% take federal loans at University of Wisconsin-Stout. File your FAFSA early and list University of Wisconsin-Stout as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a University of Wisconsin-Stout Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $58,084. That's about 43% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than University of Wisconsin-Stout. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus | Denver, CO | 1119 | 24 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Western Colorado University | Gunnison, CO | 1130 | 25 |
| University of Saint Joseph | West Hartford, CT | 1100 | NA |
| Lynn University | Boca Raton, FL | 1136 | 25 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as University of Wisconsin-Stout. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Florida International University | Miami, FL | 1154 | 23 |
| Georgia College & State University | Milledgeville, GA | 1150 | 24 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than University of Wisconsin-Stout. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
Degree Programs at University of Wisconsin-Stout
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About University of Wisconsin-Stout Admissions
Median graduate earnings at University of Wisconsin-Stout run about $58,084 a year.
At about $21,618 a year, University of Wisconsin-Stout is on the more affordable end.
University of Wisconsin-Stout's Pell Grant rate of 22.7% sits below the national average. Merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
At 84.7%, University of Wisconsin-Stout's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at University of Wisconsin-Stout average a 3.35 GPA.
University of Wisconsin-Stout doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.05 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 2.95, University of Wisconsin-Stout becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at University of Wisconsin-Stout — aim above 1150, ideally within the 1110–1180 range admitted students typically fall in.
University of Wisconsin-Stout follows Rolling Admissions. Applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
The application fee is 50. Fee waivers may be available. Check with admissions.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is Priority: 2026/02/01. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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