UWO vs. UWM

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Wisconsin Oshkosh in Oshkosh, 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 UWO based on total student enrollment (22,450 students vs. 12,953 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Wisconsin Oshkosh is located in Oshkosh, WI (Small City setting); University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• University of Wisconsin Oshkosh 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 Oshkosh 22:1; University of Wisconsin Milwaukee 17:1.

UWO vs. UWM Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UWO 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 Oshkosh than UWM ($12,500 vs. $16,263).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Oshkosh are 19.5% lower than at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee ($9,410 vs. $11,684).
• University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is 21.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UWO (about $1,866 more per year; $10,398.00 vs. $8,532.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.2% higher at UWM than at University of Wisconsin Oshkosh (about $5,952 more per year; $22,398.00 vs. $16,446.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee than at University of Wisconsin Oshkosh (91% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Wisconsin Oshkosh students is 4.1% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Milwaukee students ($6,605 vs. $6,347).

UWO vs. UWM Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UWO 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 UWO.

• Incoming UWO students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at UWM (21).
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Wisconsin Oshkosh 19/24; University of Wisconsin Milwaukee 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UWO - Test optional; UWM - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UWM Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UWO students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.24) than students at UWM (3.16).
• UWM has a higher acceptance rate (90.7%) than UWO (86.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.4% at UWO vs. 23.8% at UWM.

UWO vs. UWM Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UWO 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 Oshkosh's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than University of Wisconsin Milwaukee's (40%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of about $2,000 more per year than UWO graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,100 vs. $44,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh graduates have a $1,210 lower median loan debt than UWM graduates ($23,748 vs. $24,958).
• Among borrowers, UWO graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UWM graduates ($245 vs. $258).
• More UWO graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UWM students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.