University of Wisconsin – Madison Quick Facts
| Duration: 4 Years | Courses: | Faculty: 29 |
| Applications (Fall 2024): 352 | Acceptance Rate: 40% | Est. Class Size: 132 |
Program Description
The University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Pharmacy offers an innovative Doctor of Pharmacy program that will give you a competitive advantage and prepare you for pharmacy leadership and career success.
- Ranked 9th in the country as a top pharmacy school by U.S. News & World Report
- Top 5 in the nation for residency matches
- Among the top in the nation for licensure exam pass rates at 98% NAPLEX first-time pass rate
- Take part in innovative interprofessional programs on a leading health sciences campus to learn and collaborate with the medical, nursing, veterinary, and other health sciences students
- Practice and learn at partner network of major hospitals, including three hospitals within walking distance
- Dive into interdisciplinary research opportunities at one of the top pharmacy schools in NIH research funding within a premier research university
PharmD Program Highlights
- Public Institution
- No Baccalaureate Degree Required
- $500 deposit to hold acceptance
- Conducts interviews of applicants
- Participates in Early Decision Program (EDP)
- Minimum Three (3) Letters of Reference are required
- Utilizes the Centralized Criminal Background Check (CBC)
- Does not participate in the PharmCAS-facilitated Drug Screening Service
Location
Location: 777 Highland Ave, Madison, Wisconsin 53705
Interactive mapAcceptance Rate for University of Wisconsin – Madison
40%: See other Schools with an acceptance rate under 40%
NAPLEX Pass Rates
First-time NAPLEX pass rates for University of Wisconsin – Madison graduates, by graduation year, compared with the national average.
| Graduation Year | First-Time Pass Rate | National Average |
| 2025 | 94.1% | 86.8% |
| 2024 | 95.6% | 75.9% |
| 2023 | 94.2% | 76.4% |
Source: NABP, NAPLEX Passing Rates for 2023–2025 Graduates (March 2026). First-attempt pass rates. National average covers all graduates of ACPE-accredited programs.
Tuition
| Tuition (In-State): | $25,711 | per year |
| Tuition (Out-State): | $43,554 | per year |
| Mandatory Fees: | $1,500 | per year |
First professional year, 2022–23 academic year (most recent AACP tuition survey); later years may differ — confirm current rates with the school.
Requirements
GPA and Test Scores
| Minimum GPA: No minimum | Minimum Prerequisite GPA: No minimum | Standardized Tests: Not required (PCAT discontinued) |
| Program Prerequisites | |
| Total number of college SEMESTER HOURS that must be completed prior to matriculation: | 72 |
| Total number of basic science college SEMESTER HOURS that must be completed prior to matriculation: | 32 |
Course Prerequisites Table
| Course Title | Semester Hours |
| Calculus | 3 |
| Statistics | 3 |
| General Chemistry I with Lab | 4 |
| General Chemistry II with Lab | 4 |
| Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| Organic Chemistry Lab | 2 |
| General Biology I with Lab | 4 |
| General Biology II or Advanced Biology (Lab Preferred) | 3 |
| Microbiology | 3 |
| Human or Comparative Physiology | 3 |
| Physics | 3 |
| College-level English Composition courses will satisfy (Current UW-Madison students must complete the “Communication A” requirement). Requirement will be satisfied if you earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. institution prior to matriculation. The English composition prerequisite must be completed at an accredited college or university in the U.S. or Canada. | 3 |
| 1 course of General Elective Coursework in any of the following subjects: Social Science, Communication, Humanities, Cultural Studies, or Foreign Language. Requirement will be satisfied if you earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. institution prior to matriculation. | 3 |
| 1 course of General Elective Coursework in any of the following subjects: Social Science, Communication, Humanities, Cultural Studies, or Foreign Language. Requirement will be satisfied if you earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. institution prior to matriculation. | 3 |
| 1 course of General Elective Coursework in any of the following subjects: Social Science, Communication, Humanities, Cultural Studies, or Foreign Language. Requirement will be satisfied if you earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. institution prior to matriculation. | 3 |
| 1 course of General Elective Coursework in any of the following subjects: Social Science, Communication, Humanities, Cultural Studies, or Foreign Language. Requirement will be satisfied if you earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. institution prior to matriculation. | 3 |
| Additional elective coursework, if needed. A total of 72 credits, including prerequisites, must be completed before enrolling in the PharmD program. | 19 |
| Total | 72 |
Prerequisite Coursework Policies
Online coursework: Accepted for all prerequisite courses.
Pass/fail grades: science courses with labs: Varies; science courses without labs: Varies; non-science courses: Varies.
Completion timing: Applicants must complete all required prerequisites (including the 72 credit hour minimum) by the end of the summer term prior to enrolling in the PharmD program for the Fall 2027 term.
Letter of Recommendation Requirements
Two (2) evaluations (letters of reference) are required.
Accepted: Employer, Faculty Advisor, Family Member, Health Care Professional, Pharmacist, Pre-Health Advisor, Professor (Any Subject Area), Professor (Liberal Arts), Professor (Math), Professor (Science), Supervisor, Teaching Assistant
Committee letters: Not Accepted
Applicants are required to submit two (2) letters of recommendation/evaluations via PharmCAS. 1. One of the two letters must be from a college-level instructor (professor, lecturer, teaching assistant). A letter from a science instructor is preferred. 2. The second letter should be from a reference who knows you professionally such as a work or volunteer supervisor, pharmacist, professor, lecturer, teaching/research assistant, or academic advisor. We will not accept letters from a politician, friend, family member, or coworker of equal standing.
Interview Information
Interview Format: Individual applicants with two or more interviewers
Online interview option: Yes
The UW–Madison School of Pharmacy offers both on‑campus and virtual interview options. If invited to interview, we encourage applicants to choose the format that works best for them. Interview days are scheduled on a first‑come basis, and all applicants are reviewed equally regardless of whether they select an on‑campus or virtual interview.
More about the interview process
Applying
Deadline
March 1, 2027
Priority application deadline: November 2, 2026
Priority in scholarship offers. Guaranteed interview for applicants who have a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher. Benefit of knowing your admission decision sooner. We participate in rolling admissions and the class can fill as the final application deadline approaches.
First day of classes: September 2, 2027
General School Information
Program
Dual Degree Program? Yes
Part of an academic health center? Yes
Pharmacy observation hours required? No
Supplemental application requirement? No
Baccalaureate degree preferred for admissions? Not Required
Follows the AACP Cooperative Admissions Guidelines? Yes
Is preference given to in-state applicants vs. out-of-state applicants? No
Pharmacy School Tour Video
International Applicants
Foreign (non-U.S.) citizens considered: Yes
Applications accepted from: US Citizens, US Permanent Residents, US Temporary Residents, Canadian Citizens, Foreign (non-US) Citizens with a Visa, Foreign (non-US) Citizens, Other Non-Citizens (e.g. DACA Students)
Foreign transcript policy: Send a foreign transcript evaluation report (FTER) to PharmCAS
TOEFL required: Yes
Contact Information
Website: https://pharmacy.wisc.edu/programs/pharmd/admissions/
Social Profiles
| Facebook https://www.facebook.com/UWMadPharm/ | Instagram @uwmadisonpharmacy |
University of Wisconsin – Madison: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at University of Wisconsin – Madison?
The acceptance rate is approximately 40%, in line with many competitive PharmD programs.
How much does pharmacy school at University of Wisconsin – Madison cost?
First-year tuition is about $25,711 for in-state students and $43,554 for out-of-state students (2022–23 AACP survey), before fees.
Does University of Wisconsin – Madison have a GPA requirement?
There is no published GPA cutoff at University of Wisconsin – Madison — coursework, experience, and interviews are weighed together.
When is the application deadline for University of Wisconsin – Madison?
For the 2026–27 cycle, University of Wisconsin – Madison’s final PharmCAS deadline is March 1, 2027. A priority deadline of November 2, 2026 offers earlier review.
Do you need a bachelor’s degree to get into University of Wisconsin – Madison?
No — University of Wisconsin – Madison admits students who have completed the prerequisite coursework, with or without a bachelor’s degree. The PharmD itself takes four years.
How do University of Wisconsin – Madison’s graduates do on the NAPLEX?
94.1% of University of Wisconsin – Madison’s first-time candidates passed the NAPLEX in 2025, per NABP data.