CSU vs. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Comparable Facts

Compare Chicago State University in Chicago, IL with University of Wisconsin Whitewater in Whitewater, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Wisconsin Whitewater is larger than CSU based on total student enrollment (11,746 students vs. 2,238 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Chicago State University is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); University of Wisconsin Whitewater is in Whitewater, WI (Distant Town setting).
• Chicago State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Whitewater is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Chicago State University 9:1; University of Wisconsin Whitewater 21:1.

CSU vs. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or University of Wisconsin-Whitewater? 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 Chicago State University than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater ($10,441 vs. $12,709).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Whitewater are 30% lower than at Chicago State University ($8,090 vs. $11,550).
• Chicago State University is 48% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (about $4,138 more per year; $12,754.00 vs. $8,616.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 46.7% higher at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater than at Chicago State University (about $5,962 more per year; $18,716.00 vs. $12,754.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chicago State University than at University of Wisconsin Whitewater (99% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Chicago State University students is 220% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Whitewater students ($18,194 vs. $5,685).

CSU vs. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU or University of Wisconsin-Whitewater? 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 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and CSU.

• Incoming University of Wisconsin-Whitewater students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 17 at CSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chicago State University 750/963.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chicago State University 15/19; University of Wisconsin Whitewater 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test-free; University of Wisconsin-Whitewater - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman University of Wisconsin-Whitewater students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at CSU (3.18).
• University of Wisconsin-Whitewater has a higher acceptance rate (85.7%) than CSU (43.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 3.8% at CSU vs. 24.7% at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

CSU vs. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU and University of Wisconsin-Whitewater? 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).

• University of Wisconsin Whitewater's six-year graduation rate (54%) is higher than Chicago State University's (21%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of about $6,300 more per year than CSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $38,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Whitewater graduates have a $6,279 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($24,971 vs. $31,250).
• Among borrowers, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates have an estimated $65 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($258 vs. $323).
• More University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 25%)

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.