UW-Eau Claire vs. UWM

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Wisconsin Eau Claire in Eau Claire, 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 UW-Eau Claire based on total student enrollment (22,450 students vs. 10,049 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Wisconsin Eau Claire is located in Eau Claire, WI (Small City setting); University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• University of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Wisconsin Eau Claire 19:1; University of Wisconsin Milwaukee 17:1.

UW-Eau Claire vs. UWM Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UW-Eau Claire 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 Eau Claire than UWM ($15,151 vs. $16,263).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Eau Claire are 23.2% lower than at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee ($8,978 vs. $11,684).
• University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is 7.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UW-Eau Claire (about $756 more per year; $10,398.00 vs. $9,642.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.5% higher at UWM than at University of Wisconsin Eau Claire (about $3,170 more per year; $22,398.00 vs. $19,228.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee than at University of Wisconsin Eau Claire (91% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Wisconsin Milwaukee students is 12.1% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Eau Claire students ($6,347 vs. $5,663).

UW-Eau Claire vs. UWM Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UW-Eau Claire 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 UW-Eau Claire.

• Incoming UW-Eau Claire students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at UWM).
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Wisconsin Eau Claire 21/26; University of Wisconsin Milwaukee 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UW-Eau Claire - Test optional; UWM - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UW-Eau Claire Aug 1, 2027; UWM Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UW-Eau Claire students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at UWM (3.16).
• UWM has a higher acceptance rate (90.7%) than UW-Eau Claire (82.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.1% at UW-Eau Claire vs. 23.8% at UWM.

UW-Eau Claire vs. UWM Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UW-Eau Claire 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 Eau Claire's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than University of Wisconsin Milwaukee's (40%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of about $1,800 more per year than UWM graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,900 vs. $46,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Eau Claire graduates have a $1,708 lower median loan debt than UWM graduates ($23,250 vs. $24,958).
• Among borrowers, UW-Eau Claire graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UWM graduates ($240 vs. $258).
• More UW-Eau Claire graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UWM students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.