The University of Wisconsin–Madison leads the nation among large colleges and universities on the Peace Corps’ 2025 list of Top Volunteer-Producing Colleges and Universities, with 46 alumni currently serving in 30 countries around the world.
UW–Madison’s recognition as the top university for 2025 affirms its long-standing commitment to public service and global engagement. Since the Peace Corps was established in 1961, 3,074 Badgers have served—placing UW–Madison second on the all-time list of volunteer-producing institutions nationwide.
“We are very proud of this #1 ranking, and it illustrates the strong spirit of service on our campus,” said Frances Vavrus, vice provost and dean of the International Division. She added that this spirit extends across the state with some 6,500 Wisconsin residents having served in the Peace Corps.
The 2025 rankings, based on fiscal year 2024 data, recognize institutions across multiple categories. UW–Madison topped the large school category, ahead of the University of Colorado Boulder and the University of Florida.
The Peace Corps currently operates in 59 countries. More than 240,000 Americans have served since the agency’s founding, advancing peace and friendship through people-to-people diplomacy, as well as building volunteer’s professional skills.
“Colleges and universities from across the nation are providing us their talented alumni to serve in countries around the globe,” said Peace Corps Chief Executive Officer Allison Greene in an announcement on the new rankings. “These top-ranked schools understand the transformative power of public service and human connection. The Peace Corps builds invaluable intercultural communication skills, a broadened worldview, and adaptive leadership qualities needed in the American workforce today.”
Students and alumni interested in learning more about service opportunities can visit peacecorps.wisc.edu and connect with UW–Madison’s campus recruiter.
About the Peace Corps
The Peace Corps sends passionate and talented American volunteers abroad to collaborate with community members on projects that advance both American and local priorities. Volunteers build relationships, model democratic values, and make a lasting impact in the areas of education, health, environment, agriculture, community economic development, and youth development. The Peace Corps equips volunteers with valuable leadership, management, and language skills that make them assets to the U.S. workforce and strengthen America’s economic competitiveness at home and abroad. For more information, visit peacecorps.gov and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.