CUW vs. UWM

Comparable Facts

Compare Concordia University Wisconsin in Mequon, WI 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 CUW based on total student enrollment (22,450 students vs. 5,253 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

CUW vs. UWM Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CUW 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 CUW ($16,263 vs. $31,916).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee are 11.5% lower than at Concordia University Wisconsin ($11,684 vs. $13,200).
• Concordia University Wisconsin is 241.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UWM (about $25,072 more per year; $35,470.00 vs. $10,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 58.4% higher at CUW than at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee (about $13,072 more per year; $35,470.00 vs. $22,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Concordia University Wisconsin than at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee (99% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Concordia University Wisconsin students is 236.8% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Milwaukee students ($21,379 vs. $6,347).

CUW vs. UWM Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CUW 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 CUW.

• Incoming CUW students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at UWM).
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Concordia University Wisconsin 20/26; University of Wisconsin Milwaukee 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CUW - Test optional; UWM - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UWM Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman CUW students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at UWM (3.16).
• UWM has a higher acceptance rate (90.7%) than CUW (78.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.1% at CUW vs. 23.8% at UWM.

CUW vs. UWM Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CUW 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).

• Concordia University Wisconsin's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than University of Wisconsin Milwaukee's (40%).
• Graduates of Concordia University Wisconsin and UWM have equivalent median earnings about ten years after starting college ($46,100 vs. $46,100), per the federal College Scorecard cohort (typically among students working and not enrolled).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Concordia University Wisconsin graduates have a $1,033 lower median loan debt than UWM graduates ($23,925 vs. $24,958).
• Among borrowers, CUW graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UWM graduates ($247 vs. $258).
• More UWM graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CUW students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 52%)

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.