Overview of the Partner University

Founded in 1848 and located in Madison, the capital of Wisconsin, the University of Wisconsin–Madison (UW–Madison) is a world-class public research university. It ranks 36th globally and 12th among public universities in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report rankings. As the flagship institution of the University of Wisconsin System, a founding member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), and a founding member of the Big Ten Conference, UW-Madison is celebrated as a "Public Ivy." Along with UC Berkeley, UCLA, and the University of Michigan, it represents the highest standard of public universities in the United States.

For over 170 years, as the birthplace of the epoch-making "Wisconsin Idea" in the history of global higher education, UW-Madison has made outstanding contributions to the development of education, science, technology, economics, and society in the US and worldwide. Relying on its outstanding academic reputation, vibrant intellectual atmosphere, top-tier research capabilities, robust alumni network, diverse cultural life, and beautiful natural environment, it attracts top students from all over the world to further their studies.

UW-Madison is one of the most respected academic institutions in the United States, enjoying a stellar reputation across various disciplines and fields. It is home to 19 Nobel laureates, 39 Pulitzer Prize winners, and 12 National Medal of Science recipients. The university boasts 87 members of the National Academy of Sciences, 26 members of the National Academy of Engineering, 61 members of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and 8 members of the National Academy of Medicine. UW-Madison places a strong emphasis on academic research, fostering a profound scholarly environment. The university invests heavily in its graduate schools to propel academic advancement, and its research expenditures consistently rank among the top ten nationwide.

Introduction to the Dual Master's Degree Program

The collaboration between the School of Finance (RUC) and UW-Madison operates as follows: Professional Master's students from our School will study at Renmin University of China (RUC) for their first academic year. In their second year, they will head to the Department of Economics at UW-Madison to pursue a Master's degree in Economics (requiring 21 credits) or Financial Economics (requiring 24 credits), with no thesis requirement at UW-Madison. Afterward, students will return to RUC to complete their master's thesis defense and other degree requirements.

Students can adopt a "1+1+1" or "1+1" study model. Please be sure to consult with the School's academic affairs coordinators in advance regarding RUC's thesis defense schedule

Application Requirements

Except under special circumstances, qualified applicants must:Have completed two semesters of economics studies or equivalent studies;Have completed undergraduate-level economics courses;Provide Duolingo, TOEFL, or IELTS scores if they are non-native English speakers. Except under special circumstances, international applicants must meet one of the following minimum score requirements: TOEFL 92, Duolingo 125, or IELTS 7.0.

Program Fees

Tuition, international travel, accommodation, and daily living expenses are to be covered by the students. According to the official website, the estimated total tuition is as follows:Master's in Financial Economics: Approximately $62,400 (around 442,000 RMB). Students can transfer a maximum of 6 (RUC) credits toward the degree requirements of the UW-Madison MSFE program. (The exact tuition fee is subject to the official notice on the partner university's website)；Master's in Economics: Approximately $46,200 (around 327,000 RMB). Students cantransfer a maximum of 9 (RUC) credits toward the degree requirements of the UW-Madison Economics Master's program. (The exact tuition fee is subject to the official notice on the partner university's website).

Consultation&Contact

International Cooperation Office, School of Finance (RUC)：Ms. Song, Room 605B, Mingde Main Building，Email: songyuanyuan@ruc.edu.cn

Admissions Consultation at UW-Madison：Ms./Mr. Wang，Email: hwang253@wisc.edu