UWM vs. UWSP

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Wisconsin Milwaukee in Milwaukee, WI with University of Wisconsin Stevens Point in Stevens Point, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is larger than UWSP based on total student enrollment (22,450 students vs. 8,233 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is located in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting); University of Wisconsin Stevens Point is in Stevens Point, WI (Distant Town setting).
• University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Wisconsin Milwaukee 17:1; University of Wisconsin Stevens Point 21:1.

UWM vs. UWSP Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UWM or UWSP? 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 Stevens Point than UWM ($14,883 vs. $16,263).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Stevens Point are 24.7% lower than at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee ($8,800 vs. $11,684).
• University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is 9.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UWSP (about $910 more per year; $10,398.00 vs. $9,488.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21% higher at UWM than at University of Wisconsin Stevens Point (about $3,890 more per year; $22,398.00 vs. $18,508.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee than at University of Wisconsin Stevens Point (91% vs. 79%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Wisconsin Milwaukee students is 26.6% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Stevens Point students ($6,347 vs. $5,014).

UWM vs. UWSP Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UWM or UWSP? 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 UWSP and UWM.

• Incoming UWM students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at UWSP (21).
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Wisconsin Milwaukee 19/24; University of Wisconsin Stevens Point 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UWM - Test optional; UWSP - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UWM Sep 1, 2026; UWSP Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UWSP students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.27) than students at UWM (3.16).
• UWSP has a higher acceptance rate (91.8%) than UWM (90.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.8% at UWM vs. 23.5% at UWSP.

UWM vs. UWSP Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UWM and UWSP? 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 Stevens Point's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than University of Wisconsin Milwaukee's (40%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of about $4,400 more per year than UWSP graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,100 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Stevens Point graduates have a $598 lower median loan debt than UWM graduates ($24,360 vs. $24,958).
• Among borrowers, UWSP graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UWM graduates ($251 vs. $258).
• More UWSP 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.