EIU vs. UWM

Comparable Facts

Compare Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, 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 EIU based on total student enrollment (22,450 students vs. 8,505 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Illinois University is located in Charleston, IL (Remote Town setting); University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Eastern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Illinois University 14:1; University of Wisconsin Milwaukee 17:1.

EIU vs. UWM Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, EIU 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 Eastern Illinois University than UWM ($13,787 vs. $16,263).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee are 4.9% lower than at Eastern Illinois University ($11,684 vs. $12,282).
• Eastern Illinois University is 31.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UWM (about $3,281 more per year; $13,679.00 vs. $10,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 38.1% higher at UWM than at Eastern Illinois University (about $6,181 more per year; $22,398.00 vs. $16,217.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Eastern Illinois University than at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee (95% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Eastern Illinois University students is 104.2% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Milwaukee students ($12,960 vs. $6,347).

EIU vs. UWM Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, EIU 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 EIU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Illinois University 880/1090.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Wisconsin Milwaukee 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: EIU - Test optional; UWM - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UWM Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman EIU students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at UWM (3.16).
• UWM has a higher acceptance rate (90.7%) than EIU (65.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at EIU vs. 23.8% at UWM.

EIU vs. UWM Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for EIU 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).

• Eastern Illinois University's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than University of Wisconsin Milwaukee's (40%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than EIU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,100 vs. $43,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Eastern Illinois University graduates have a $1,308 lower median loan debt than UWM graduates ($23,650 vs. $24,958).
• Among borrowers, EIU graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UWM graduates ($244 vs. $258).
• More UWM graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former EIU students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 59%)

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.