Parkside vs. UWM

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Wisconsin Parkside in Kenosha, 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 Parkside based on total student enrollment (22,450 students vs. 3,925 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Wisconsin Parkside is located in Kenosha, WI (Midsize Suburban setting); University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• University of Wisconsin Parkside 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 Parkside 20:1; University of Wisconsin Milwaukee 17:1.

Parkside vs. UWM Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Parkside 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 Parkside than UWM ($10,234 vs. $16,263).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Parkside are 25.1% lower than at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee ($8,750 vs. $11,684).
• University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is 25.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Parkside (about $2,128 more per year; $10,398.00 vs. $8,270.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.5% higher at UWM than at University of Wisconsin Parkside (about $4,969 more per year; $22,398.00 vs. $17,429.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee than at University of Wisconsin Parkside (91% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Wisconsin Parkside students is 19.7% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Milwaukee students ($7,598 vs. $6,347).

Parkside vs. UWM Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Parkside 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 Parkside.

• Incoming UWM students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at Parkside).
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Wisconsin Parkside 17/23; University of Wisconsin Milwaukee 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Parkside - Test optional; UWM - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UWM Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Parkside students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at UWM (3.16).
• UWM has a higher acceptance rate (90.7%) than Parkside (75.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.1% at Parkside vs. 23.8% at UWM.

Parkside vs. UWM Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Parkside 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 Milwaukee's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than University of Wisconsin Parkside's (28%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than Parkside graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,100 vs. $41,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Parkside graduates have a $1,993 lower median loan debt than UWM graduates ($22,965 vs. $24,958).
• Among borrowers, Parkside graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UWM graduates ($237 vs. $258).
• More UWM graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Parkside students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 54%)

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.