Blackburn College vs. UWM

Comparable Facts

Compare Blackburn College in Carlinville, IL with University of Wisconsin Milwaukee in Milwaukee, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is larger than Blackburn College based on total student enrollment (22,450 students vs. 513 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Blackburn College is located in Carlinville, IL (Rural Fringe setting); University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Blackburn College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Blackburn College 11:1; University of Wisconsin Milwaukee 17:1.

Blackburn College vs. UWM Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Blackburn College or UWM? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee than Blackburn College ($16,263 vs. $18,460).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Blackburn College are 15.1% lower than at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee ($9,915 vs. $11,684).
• Blackburn College is 170.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UWM (about $17,751 more per year; $28,149.00 vs. $10,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.7% higher at Blackburn College than at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee (about $5,751 more per year; $28,149.00 vs. $22,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Blackburn College than at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Blackburn College students is 206.5% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Milwaukee students ($19,456 vs. $6,347).

Blackburn College vs. UWM Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Blackburn College or UWM? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UWM and Blackburn College.

• Incoming UWM students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at Blackburn College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 888/1125.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 16/24; University of Wisconsin Milwaukee 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Blackburn College - Test-free; UWM - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UWM Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Blackburn College students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.23) than students at UWM (3.16).
• UWM has a higher acceptance rate (90.7%) than Blackburn College (63.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.7% at Blackburn College vs. 23.8% at UWM.

Blackburn College vs. UWM Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Blackburn College and UWM? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Blackburn College's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than University of Wisconsin Milwaukee's (40%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of about $5,700 more per year than Blackburn College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,100 vs. $40,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee graduates have a $1,042 lower median loan debt than Blackburn College graduates ($24,958 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, UWM graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Blackburn College graduates ($258 vs. $268).
• More UWM graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Blackburn College students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 58%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.