(WTAQ-WLUK) — The Universities of Wisconsin released enrollment totals for the fall 2026 semester, revealing overall system enrollment is 164,579 students, based on 10th day enrollment figures.
That marks a slight decrease from fall 2025 of 1,233 students. According to a news release from the Universities of Wisconsin, much of the decline can be attributed to a decrease in international enrollment. It decreased by 1,134 to 8,889 international students.
Here’s overall enrollment totals for all of the UW schools:
- UW-Madison: 50,595
- UW-Milwaukee: 23,947
- UW-Whitewater: 12,268
- UW-Green Bay: 12,059
- UW-Oshkosh: 11,989
- UW-La Crosse: 10,478
- UW-Eau Claire: 9,001
- UW-Stevens Point: 8,457
- UW-Stout Polytechnic: 7,274
- UW-Platteville: 6,135
- UW-River Falls: 5,306
- UW-Parkside: 4,009
- UW-Superior: 3,061
Bolded entries indicate Northeast Wisconsin UW schools.
“Enrollment remains strong across the Universities of Wisconsin, even as international enrollment declined significantly,” Universities of Wisconsin Interim President Renée Wachter said in a news release.
We are also expanding the ways students can access a UW education, from Direct Admit Wisconsin and opportunities for high school students to innovative options like UW Flexible Option that meet working adults where they are. Creating more pathways to a UW education is good for students and good for Wisconsin.
First-year enrollment was down by only 38 students compared to the fall 2025 class at 28,442 students.
The Universities of Wisconsin said Direct Admit Wisconsin is also still expanding. Roughly 7,200 first-year students enrolled through Direct Admit, up from 5,200 in fall 2025. Direct Admit students account for 46% of first-year enrollment at participating UW schools.
High school special enrollment reached a record high 14,579 students, an increase of 857 students.
The Universities of Wisconsin notes, final revisions are usually made at the end of the semester.
