Metropolitan State University vs. UWM

Comparable Facts

Compare Metropolitan State University in Saint Paul, MN 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 Metropolitan State University based on total student enrollment (22,450 students vs. 6,660 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Metropolitan State University is located in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting); University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Metropolitan 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: Metropolitan State University 15:1; University of Wisconsin Milwaukee 17:1.

Metropolitan State University vs. UWM Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Metropolitan State University 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 Metropolitan State University ($16,263 vs. $16,615).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee are 26.3% lower than at Metropolitan State University ($11,684 vs. $15,864).
• University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is 5.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Metropolitan State University (about $558 more per year; $10,398.00 vs. $9,840.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 127.6% higher at UWM than at Metropolitan State University (about $12,558 more per year; $22,398.00 vs. $9,840.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee than at Metropolitan State University (91% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Metropolitan State University students is 34.5% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Milwaukee students ($8,538 vs. $6,347).

Metropolitan State University vs. UWM Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Metropolitan State University 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 Metropolitan State University.

• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Wisconsin Milwaukee 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Metropolitan State University - Test optional; UWM - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Metropolitan State University Aug 1, 2027; UWM Sep 1, 2026.
• Metropolitan State University has a higher acceptance rate (98.7%) than UWM (90.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.8% at Metropolitan State University vs. 23.8% at UWM.

Metropolitan State University vs. UWM Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Metropolitan State University 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).

• University of Wisconsin Milwaukee's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than Metropolitan State University's (29%).
• Graduates from Metropolitan State University earn a median of about $3,100 more per year than UWM graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $46,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Metropolitan State University graduates have a $6,966 lower median loan debt than UWM graduates ($17,992 vs. $24,958).
• Among borrowers, Metropolitan State University graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UWM graduates ($186 vs. $258).
• More UWM graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Metropolitan State University students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 57%)

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.