Understanding UW–Madison Through Data: Four Resources You Should Know

UW-Madison’s institutional data informs strategic, academic, and budgetary planning decisions. A full list of institutional data resources is available in UW–Madison’s Repository of Administrative Data and Reports

Here are four institutional data resources you should know:

  1. The Annual Snapshot: Data Digest

The Data Digest is UW–Madison’s annual snapshot of key facts and figures, serving as the source of official institutional numbers. A Fast Facts section lists key figures for quick reference and subsequent sections provide comprehensive information about the university including students, faculty, staff, budget, and expenditures. The School/College Profiles section provides information for several topics separately by school or college. This resource is publicly available and valuable for internal and external audiences to understand our institution and trends. 

  1. Clarifying UW-Madison’s Academic Organization: Academic Structure Tableau Visualization

Rooted in faculty governance, UW–Madison’s academic structure and its elements are the building blocks of the institution. The Academic Structure Tableau visualization shows how UW–Madison is organized — from schools and colleges to departments, curricular subjects, and programs. This visualization can be used to find the official, governance-approved names. It provides the foundation that determines how enrollments, degrees, and programs data are attributed to schools, colleges, and departments. 

  1. Evaluating Trends: Trends in Student Enrollments Tableau Visualization 

Understanding how student data trends evolve over time is important for making informed, strategic decisions across the institution. This Tableau visualization captures those shifts, showing enrollment in majors and other programs over time. The visualization allows you to drill down into various student characteristics, including academic level and residency. 

  1. Mapping Our Reach: Bachelor’s Alumni in the USA Tableau Visualization

UW–Madison alumni form a network that reaches every Wisconsin county, across the country, and internationally. This visualization maps where bachelor’s degree alumni live based on the most recent and best-available location information available from the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association. It can be used to help departments set outreach and engagement strategies, alumni relations, and showcasing the university’s statewide and national impact.