University of Wisconsin-Whitewater vs. UWM

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Wisconsin Whitewater in Whitewater, 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 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater based on total student enrollment (22,450 students vs. 11,746 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Wisconsin Whitewater is located in Whitewater, WI (Distant Town setting); University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• University of Wisconsin Whitewater 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 Whitewater 21:1; University of Wisconsin Milwaukee 17:1.

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater vs. UWM Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater 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 Whitewater than UWM ($12,709 vs. $16,263).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Whitewater are 30.8% lower than at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee ($8,090 vs. $11,684).
• University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is 20.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (about $1,782 more per year; $10,398.00 vs. $8,616.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.7% higher at UWM than at University of Wisconsin Whitewater (about $3,682 more per year; $22,398.00 vs. $18,716.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee than at University of Wisconsin Whitewater (91% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Wisconsin Milwaukee students is 11.6% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Whitewater students ($6,347 vs. $5,685).

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater vs. UWM Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater 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 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

• Incoming University of Wisconsin-Whitewater 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 Whitewater 19/24; University of Wisconsin Milwaukee 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Wisconsin-Whitewater - Test optional; UWM - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UWM Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman University of Wisconsin-Whitewater students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at UWM (3.16).
• UWM has a higher acceptance rate (90.7%) than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (85.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.7% at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater vs. 23.8% at UWM.

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater vs. UWM Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Wisconsin-Whitewater 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 Whitewater's six-year graduation rate (54%) is higher than University of Wisconsin Milwaukee's (40%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of about $1,500 more per year than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,100 vs. $44,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee graduates have a $13 lower median loan debt than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates ($24,958 vs. $24,971).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee and University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($258 vs. $258).
• More University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UWM students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.