Northland College vs. UWM

Comparable Facts

Compare Northland College in Ashland, WI 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 Northland College based on total student enrollment (22,450 students vs. 286 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northland College is located in Ashland, WI (Remote Town setting); University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Northland College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northland College 5:1; University of Wisconsin Milwaukee 17:1.

Northland College vs. UWM Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northland College 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 Northland College ($16,263 vs. $23,253).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northland College are 0.7% lower than at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee ($11,600 vs. $11,684).
• Northland College is 327% more expensive for in-state tuition than UWM (about $34,005 more per year; $44,403.00 vs. $10,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 98.2% higher at Northland College than at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee (about $22,005 more per year; $44,403.00 vs. $22,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northland College than at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northland College students is 428.9% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Milwaukee students ($33,572 vs. $6,347).

Northland College vs. UWM Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northland College 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 Northland College.

• Incoming Northland College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at UWM (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northland College 950/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northland College 18/25; University of Wisconsin Milwaukee 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northland College - Test optional; UWM - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UWM Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Northland College students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at UWM (3.16).
• UWM has a higher acceptance rate (90.7%) than Northland College (75%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.6% at Northland College vs. 23.8% at UWM.

Northland College vs. UWM Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northland College 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).

• Northland College's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than University of Wisconsin Milwaukee's (40%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of about $11,200 more per year than Northland College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,100 vs. $34,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee graduates have a $1,985 lower median loan debt than Northland College graduates ($24,958 vs. $26,943).
• Among borrowers, UWM graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northland College graduates ($258 vs. $278).
• More Northland College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UWM students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 62%)

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.