Wisconsin vs. UWM

Should I go to University of Wisconsin Madison or University of Wisconsin Milwaukee? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Wisconsin 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Minnesota Michigan Illinois Ohio State UW-Seattle Purdue Maryland UT Austin IU Iowa UCSD Florida
University of Wisconsin Madison vs. University of Wisconsin Milwaukee comparison
University of Wisconsin Madison University of Wisconsin Milwaukee College 3 College 4
University of Wisconsin Madison University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Wisconsin UWM
Location Madison, WI Milwaukee, WI
Setting Midsize City Large City
Enrollment 48,956 22,676
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #105 #840
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wisc.edu uwm.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Wisconsin UWM
Tuition (In State) $9,273 $8,091
Tuition (Out of State) $37,904 $19,956
Room & Board $12,894 $10,896
Avg Net Price $13,376 $16,551
Avg Grant Aid $11,171 $5,963
% Receiving Grant Aid 47% 78%

Admission

Wisconsin UWM
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 60,214 16,852
Admitted 29,539 14,546
Acceptance Rate 49.1% 86.3%
Enrolled % 29.2% 23%
Avg High School GPA 3.88 3.16
Typical High School Grades A- B
Admissions Standards Exceptional Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 26/32 19/24
SAT Range 1340/1510
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 Jan 15, 2025 Sep 1, 2024

Academics

Wisconsin UWM
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (15%)
  • Biology (12%)
  • Business (10%)
  • Engineering (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (27%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Education (7%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)

Outcomes

Wisconsin UWM
Graduation Rate 82% 40%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $64,800 $46,100
Making Student Loan Payments 84% 62%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,250 $24,958
Median Loan Payment $230 $258

Diversity

Wisconsin UWM
% Men 47% 44%
% Women 53% 56%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 76% 68%
% Black 2% 8%
% Hispanic 5% 9%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 8% 4%
% Unknown Race 0% 0%

Students

Wisconsin UWM
% In-State 43% 87%
% Out-of-State 47% 12%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Wisconsin Madison is larger than than UWM based on total student enrollment (48,956 students vs. 22,676 students)

Wisconsin vs. UWM Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wisconsin or UWM?

  • University of Wisconsin Madison is 14.6% more expensive to attend than UWM for in-state tuition ($9,273.00 vs. $8,091.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 89.9% higher at Wisconsin than University of Wisconsin Milwaukee ($37,904.00 vs. $19,956.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Wisconsin Madison than UWM ($13,376 vs. $16,551)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee are 18.3% lower than costs at University of Wisconsin Madison ($10,896 vs. $12,894)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee than University of Wisconsin Madison (78% vs. 47%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Wisconsin Madison students is 87.3% larger than aid received University of Wisconsin Milwaukee ($11,171 vs. $5,963)

Wisconsin vs. UWM Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Wisconsin Madison (1300) is 250 points higher than at UWM (1050)
  • Incoming Wisconsin students have a 6 point higher average ACT score (29) than students at UWM (23)
  • Accepted freshman Wisconsin students have a 0.72 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at UWM (3.16)
  • UWM has a higher acceptance rate (86.3%) than Wisconsin (49.1%)

Wisconsin vs. UWM Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin.

  • The graduation rate at Wisconsin is higher than University of Wisconsin Milwaukee (82% vs. 40%)
  • Graduates from University of Wisconsin Madison earn on average $18,700 more per year than UWM graduates after ten years. ($64,800 vs. $46,100)
  • University of Wisconsin Madison students graduate with a $2,708 lower median federal student loan debt than UWM graduates. ($22,250 vs. $24,958)
  • Wisconsin graduates are paying $28 less per month on federal student loans than UWM graduates. ($230 vs. $258)
  • More Wisconsin graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UWM students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 62%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/