Top 10 Greek Picks - Fall 2026
A guide to UW-Madison's most iconic fraternities
Each year, our Top 10 list recognizes the organizations that make Madison’s Greek houses some of the most iconic in the country.
01
221 Langdon Street
Sigma Chi
Highlights
Large gathering spaces
On-site fitness center
Apartment-style living
Commercial kitchen for large group meals
Large front porch
Underground parking available
Emphasis on... friendship, personal development, leadership, and service
With hundreds of undergraduate chapters across North America and an extensive alumni network, Sigma Chi has grown into one of the largest fraternities within the Greek system.
02
627 N Lake Street
Sigma Alpha Epsilon
Highlights
Spacious dining room, chapter room, and comfortable lounges
Strong alumni relationships & involvement
Part of UW-Madison for over 120 years
Direct lakefront access with a pier
Ideal proximity to campus and downtown
Emphasis on... leadership, scholarship, and service
The chapter combines a strong sense of brotherhood with an active social scene and continued involvement in philanthropy and campus leadership.
03
644 N Frances Street
Delta Upsilon
Highlights
One of the first non-secret fraternities
Central air conditioning
On-site parking
One of the longest continuously-occupied fraternity houses in Madison
Emphasis on... justice, character, friendship, and liberal culture
The Wisconsin chapter continues to focus on academic achievement, campus involvement, and lifelong brotherhood while preparing members to become leaders within their communities. Delta Upsilon is committed to building better men through service, leadership, and personal growth. On-site parking Central air conditioning One of the longest continuously-occupied fraternity houses in Madison.
The interior of the building reflects preservation efforts to maintain the house’s historic appearance and the primarily wooden design shows careful craftsmanship.
04
16 Langdon Street
Phi Gamma Delta
Highlights
One of the highest fraternity Grade Point Averages on campus
Over 150 Chapters across North America
Mission to "Build Couragous Leaders" through its Member Education Model: Built to Lead
Chapter house built by J.H. Findorff & Son, which is still local to Madison
Emphasis on... friendship, knowledge, service, morality, and excellence
The centerpiece of the house features “The Great Hall” a magnificent two-story ballroom that overlooks Lake Mendota—the perfect setting for Chapter activities and social events.
The five-story building also features spiral staircases, a deck that overlooks the lake, and a kitchen/dining room that includes a Chef providing convenient and delicious meals to its residents.
05
144 Langdon Street
Theta Delta Chi
Highlights
Strong alumi relationships
One of the oldest fraternities at UW-Madison
Multiple philanthropy causes including Autism Speaks, Special Olympics Wisconsin, PnockOut Pneumonia, and local youth mentoring programs
Motto - Our Hearts Are United
Adopted Minerva, Godess of Wisdom, and its patron deity
Emphasis on... brotherhood, leadership, and campus involvement
The fraternity believes it is the duty of each member to improve himself intellectually, morally, and socially through friendship.
Theta Delta Chi continues to be part of the traditions that have shaped Greek life at UW– Madison for decades, contributing to the vibrant community found along Langdon Street.
06
237 Langdon Street
Sigma Phi Epsilon
Highlights
All illicit substances banned from the house since 2020
Amenities include on-site laundry, central heat and air conditioning
Meal plans available for brothers living in the house
The chapter follows the Balanced Man Program, a values-based development experience focused on helping members grow academically, professionally, and personally throughout their college careers
Emphasis on... personal development and member growth
The original house at 237 Langdon Street was built in 1891 for a UW-Madison professor to live in, but was rebuilt in 2011 after a fire heavily damaged the property in 2008. This makes it one of the newest Greek houses in Madison. Amenities include on-site laundry, central heat and air conditioning Meal plans available for brothers living in the house.
The chapter also places an emphasis on creating a strong community within the house. Shared living spaces, chapter events, and member activities help residents build connections while navigating the UW–Madison experience together.
Original Sigma Phi Epsilon house built in 1891 View of the original chapter house from the lake
07
622 Mendota Court
Beta Theta Pi
Highlights
Lakefront access and large backyard
UW-Madison's longest continuously active fraternity - recently celebrated their 150th anniversary on campus
Second fraternity in Madison to establish a chapter house
Motto - Cooperation Makes Strength
Emphasis on... developing 'men of principle'
For members, the Beta house offers more than just a place to live—it provides a unique college experience built around community, tradition, and one of the best settings near campus.
The chapter provides members with opportunities to build connections, participate in leadership experiences, and become involved in the traditions that have shaped the fraternity over more than a century.
Exterior view of the Beta chapter house - early 1900s Beta chapter house interior circa 1910
08
216 Langdon Street
Tau Kappa Epsilon
Highlights
Over $150,000 raised for philanthropy this year
Collective Grade Point Average of 3.38
Over 6,000 service hours recorded in the past year
One of the few national fraternities that never had an exclusion clause (erace, religion, wealth, etc.)
Motto - Better Men for a Better World
Emphasis on... love, charity, and esteem
The chapter has received the Top TKE Chapter award from the national headquarters for an unprecedented 6 consecutive years.
The founders aimed to establish a fraternity where the primary requisites for membership would be the personal worth and character of the individual.
Current TKE chapter house basement Large front yard on Langdon Street
09
222 Langdon Street
Acacia
Highlights
Only fraternity at UW-Madison named with a word rather than letters
Motto - Human Service
Vision - Preparing Tomorrow's Leaders
Recognized by national headquarters with a bronze REACH Award in 2025-56
Emphasis on... virtue, knowledge, and truth
In recent years, alumni launched a “Renew 222” campaign, aiming to restore and update the historic building while preserving its original character.
This project reflects the ongoing commitment to maintaining one of Langdon Street’s most iconic homes, putting in time to modernize the chapter house for future generations of students to call home.
Polar Plunge event for Alzheimer's & Dimensia Alliance of WI Brothers abroad Front lawn on Langdon Street
10
Phi Delta Theta
Highlights
First fraternity at UW-Madison
Strong alumni network
UW-Madison chapter re-established in 2014
Members of Phi Delta Theta value lifelong brotherhood, academic achievement, leadership, and personal integrity
Emphasis on... friendship, sound learning, and rectitude
With a strong national legacy and the opportunity to create new traditions at UW–Madison, Phi Delta Theta represents a unique chapter within the university’s evolving Greek community.
Phi Delt’s return to UW–Madison highlights how tradition and growth can come together to create a lasting chapter experience.
Your Campus,
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Your Home.
For over four decades, BMOC Inc. has been proud to manage the places students call home, creating a comfortable space to make lifelong memories. Between student housing, Greek living, multi-family, and workforce housing, our focus has always been the same:
To deliver professional management that creates better
experiences for residents and lasting value for owners.
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