CUW vs. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Comparable Facts

Compare Concordia University Wisconsin in Mequon, WI 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 CUW based on total student enrollment (11,746 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 Whitewater is in Whitewater, WI (Distant Town setting).
• Concordia University Wisconsin is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Whitewater is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Concordia University Wisconsin 11:1; University of Wisconsin Whitewater 21:1.

CUW vs. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CUW 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 University of Wisconsin Whitewater than CUW ($12,709 vs. $31,916).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Whitewater are 38.7% lower than at Concordia University Wisconsin ($8,090 vs. $13,200).
• Concordia University Wisconsin is 311.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (about $26,854 more per year; $35,470.00 vs. $8,616.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 89.5% higher at CUW than at University of Wisconsin Whitewater (about $16,754 more per year; $35,470.00 vs. $18,716.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Concordia University Wisconsin than at University of Wisconsin Whitewater (99% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Concordia University Wisconsin students is 276.1% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Whitewater students ($21,379 vs. $5,685).

CUW vs. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CUW or University of Wisconsin-Whitewater? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and CUW.

• Incoming CUW students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (23 vs. 21 at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater).
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Concordia University Wisconsin 20/26; University of Wisconsin Whitewater 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CUW - Test optional; University of Wisconsin-Whitewater - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman CUW students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (3.3).
• University of Wisconsin-Whitewater has a higher acceptance rate (85.7%) than CUW (78.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.1% at CUW vs. 24.7% at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

CUW vs. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CUW and University of Wisconsin-Whitewater? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Concordia University Wisconsin's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than University of Wisconsin Whitewater's (54%).
• Graduates from Concordia University Wisconsin earn a median of about $1,500 more per year than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,100 vs. $44,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Concordia University Wisconsin graduates have a $1,046 lower median loan debt than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates ($23,925 vs. $24,971).
• Among borrowers, CUW graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates ($247 vs. $258).
• More University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CUW students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.