GSU vs. UWM

Comparable Facts

Compare Governors State University in University Park, 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 GSU based on total student enrollment (22,450 students vs. 4,397 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Governors State University is located in University Park, IL (Rural Fringe setting); University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Governors State 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: Governors State University 11:1; University of Wisconsin Milwaukee 17:1.

GSU vs. UWM Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GSU 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 Governors State University than UWM ($12,756 vs. $16,263).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee are 0.4% lower than at Governors State University ($11,684 vs. $11,736).
• Governors State University is 15.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UWM (about $1,606 more per year; $12,004.00 vs. $10,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 86.6% higher at UWM than at Governors State University (about $10,394 more per year; $22,398.00 vs. $12,004.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee than at Governors State University (91% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Governors State University students is 80.5% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Milwaukee students ($11,455 vs. $6,347).

GSU vs. UWM Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GSU 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 GSU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Governors State University 830/1060.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Wisconsin Milwaukee 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GSU - Test optional; UWM - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: GSU Apr 1, 2027; UWM Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman GSU students have a 0.84 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at UWM (3.16).
• UWM has a higher acceptance rate (90.7%) than GSU (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.8% at GSU vs. 23.8% at UWM.

GSU vs. UWM Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GSU 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).

• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of about $3,500 more per year than GSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,100 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Governors State University graduates have a $7,708 lower median loan debt than UWM graduates ($17,250 vs. $24,958).
• Among borrowers, GSU graduates have an estimated $80 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UWM graduates ($178 vs. $258).
• More UWM graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GSU students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 48%)

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.