Metropolitan State University vs. UWM

Should I go to Metropolitan State University or University of Wisconsin Milwaukee? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Metropolitan State University or UWM is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Metropolitan State University vs. University of Wisconsin Milwaukee comparison
Metropolitan State University University of Wisconsin Milwaukee College 3 College 4
Metropolitan State University University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
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Overview

Metropolitan State University UWM
Location Saint Paul, MN Milwaukee, WI
Setting Large City Large City
Enrollment 6,005 22,481
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #845
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website metrostate.edu uwm.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Metropolitan State University UWM
Tuition (In State) $8,571 $8,455
Tuition (Out of State) $8,571 $20,455
Room & Board $15,864 $10,980
Avg Net Price $18,233 $16,499
Avg Grant Aid $8,021 $5,305
% Receiving Grant Aid 79% 83%

Admission

Metropolitan State University UWM
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 542 16,662
Admitted 523 14,736
Acceptance Rate 96.5% 88.4%
Enrolled % 30.2% 22.8%
Avg High School GPA - 3.16
Typical High School Grades - B
Admissions Standards Unavailable Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/24
SAT Range
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2026 Sep 1, 2025

Academics

Metropolitan State University UWM
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (33%)
  • General Studies (13%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • Business (27%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Education (7%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)

Outcomes

Metropolitan State University UWM
Graduation Rate 29% 40%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,200 $46,100
Making Student Loan Payments 57% 62%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,992 $24,958
Median Loan Payment $186 $258

Diversity

Metropolitan State University UWM
% Men 5% 8%
% Women 7% 12%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 54% 68%
% Black 20% 8%
% Hispanic 5% 9%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 4%
% International 2% 4%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

Metropolitan State University UWM
% In-State 99% 89%
% Out-of-State 1% 10%

Campus

Metropolitan State University UWM
Campus Housing No Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan No Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is larger than than Metropolitan State University based on total student enrollment (22,481 students vs. 6,005 students)

Metropolitan State University vs. UWM Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Metropolitan State University or UWM?

  • Metropolitan State University is 1.4% more expensive to attend than UWM for in-state tuition ($8,571.00 vs. $8,455.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 138.7% higher at UWM than Metropolitan State University ($20,455.00 vs. $8,571.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee than Metropolitan State University ($16,499 vs. $18,233)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee are 44.5% lower than costs at Metropolitan State University ($10,980 vs. $15,864)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee than Metropolitan State University (83% vs. 79%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Metropolitan State University students is 51.2% larger than aid received University of Wisconsin Milwaukee ($8,021 vs. $5,305)

Metropolitan State University vs. UWM Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Metropolitan State University or UWM? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between UWM or Metropolitan State University .

  • Metropolitan State University has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than UWM (88.4%)

Metropolitan State University vs. UWM Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Metropolitan State University or UWM? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between UWM and Metropolitan State University.

  • The graduation rate at UWM is higher than Metropolitan State University (40% vs. 29%)
  • Graduates from Metropolitan State University earn on average $3,100 more per year than UWM graduates after ten years. ($49,200 vs. $46,100)
  • Metropolitan State University students graduate with a $6,966 lower median federal student loan debt than UWM graduates. ($17,992 vs. $24,958)
  • Metropolitan State University graduates are paying $72 less per month on federal student loans 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/