University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is a public institution offering graduate degrees based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It enrolls 16,758 students (a very large student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Good
66/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Selective
Outcomes34
Value78
Affordability62
Selectivity24
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
With an acceptance rate of 90.7%, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is broadly accessible to qualified applicants.
Acceptance Rate
90.7%
Open
SAT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
ACT Range (25th–75th)
18 – 25
Cumulative composite
Test PolicyNot ConsideredStandardized test scores are not used in admissions decisions.
5-Year Admission Trend
Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.
Becoming less selective ↑
11.9 pts
since 2019
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $15,014 per year. That's below the typical net price for public colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$15,014
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
33%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
42%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees (in-state)
$10,398
Tuition & Fees (out-of-state)
$22,398
Room & Board (on-campus)
$11,684
Room & Board (off-campus)
$11,684
Books & Supplies
$800
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$3,742
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$3,742
Total Cost of Attendance
$22,756
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$10,329
$30,001 – $48,000
$10,709
$48,001 – $75,000
$12,344
$75,001 – $110,000
$19,315
Over $110,000
$21,477
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$2,95410%percentile
$6,25025%percentile
$23,000Medianpercentile
$28,00075%percentile
$37,36790%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $18,250
↓ $4,750
No Pell $12,123
↓ $10,877
Dependent students $15,000
↓ $8,000
Independent students $15,954
↓ $7,046
Female students $15,250
↓ $7,750
Male students $15,125
↓ $7,875
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $8,750, less than completers ($23,000), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
49% of full-time students who enrolled at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee graduate within six years, and 73% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
49%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
73%
Returning for their second year
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee earn a median of $54,990 ten years after first enrolling. That's close to the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$54,990
Earning > $25K
81%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$43,400
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$54,000
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
By Family Income at Entry
Family income (lowest third)
$46,000
Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (middle third)
$47,200
Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (highest third)
$50,100
Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $10,600, about 20% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
Loan Repayment Progression
Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.
Climbing: graduates increasingly paying down debt ↑
16.1 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Excellent. 88% of graduates were paying down at least $1 of principal seven years out.
Who Studies Here
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is home to 16,758 students, a sprawling student community. Some distinctive traits: 33% are first-generation college students.
Total Enrolled
16,758
Part-Time
12%
First-Generation
33%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
White 57.0%9,552
Hispanic 16.6%2,789
Black 9.7%1,624
Asian 7.4%1,243
Other 5.5%925
International 2.1%355
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Large CityMilwaukee, Wisconsin
Housing
Partly residential4,090 beds available
Adult Learners
16%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
What You Can Study
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee offers
an extensive catalog of programs:
190 distinct programs across
26 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is 17:1, on the higher side.
Student : Faculty
17:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Instruction / Student
$11,872
Annual instructional spending per enrolled student
Endowment
$239M
Solid financial position
Avg Faculty Salary
$87,667
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
958 instructional faculty across 5 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
245
26%
$118,156
Associate Professors
301
31%
$89,866
Assistant Professors
186
19%
$86,531
Instructors
198
21%
$54,476
Lecturers
28
3%
$40,576
Pros & Cons of University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
A quick at-a-glance summary of how University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Below-average net price
Accessible admissions for most applicants
Solid post-graduation earnings
CONS
Class sizes are on the higher side
Below-average completion rate
Modest first-year retention
Best for:
Based on the data, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is a fit for
students who want a clear path to start college without a competitive admissions barrier.
Frequently Asked Questions about University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Is University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee hard to get into?
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee has open or near-open admissions. Most qualified applicants are accepted. Acceptance rate: 90.7%.
What is the acceptance rate at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee?
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee has an acceptance rate of 90.7%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
What ACT score do you need for University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee?
The middle 50% of admitted students at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee scored between 18 and 25 on the ACT composite. Scores in the upper half of that range strengthen an application. Source: IPEDS 2023-24.
How much does University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee cost?
The average net price after aid at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is $15,014 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee worth it?
Solid return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $54,990 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $15,014 per year. That's roughly 3.7x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee known for?
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is best known for its programs in Marketing, Nursing, Management Sciences. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee are $54,990, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee accredited?
Yes. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
How many students attend University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee?
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee enrolls 16,758 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee?
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee graduates 49% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee a public or private college?
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is a Public institution.
Where is University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee located?
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
What programs does University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee offer?
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee offers 190 distinct programs. The most popular include Marketing, Nursing, Management Sciences.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee?
The student-to-faculty ratio at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is 17:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
Related Colleges in Wisconsin
Other colleges in Wisconsin share the same applicant pool, regional economy, and academic landscape. Comparing nearby options puts admissions, costs, and outcomes in context, useful when weighing your fit against local alternatives.
Free, data-backed guides to help you decide, built on the same federal data as this profile.
H
How to Build Your College List Pillar
The full process of narrowing from 3,839 US colleges to a shortlist of ~10. Cost, location, size, selectivity, and fit factors that actually predict whether you'll thrive.
What actually makes a college work for first-generation students, the support and aid signals that predict success, and how to find the schools that deliver them using federal data.
How to find the colleges that deliver the strongest return on a STEM degree by weighing earnings outcomes against net cost, rather than chasing the most selective name.
Original data analyses built on the same federal data as this profile. Rankings, outliers, and patterns, no opinions.
American Colleges by the Numbers
One federal dataset, 3,839 colleges. The median school costs $16,371 a year, admits 78% of applicants, and enrolls 1,259 students. The shape of US higher ed.
Higher education data
Net price
College enrollment
Acceptance rate
College ownership
Do Selective Schools Actually Graduate More Students?
Across 1,645 four-year colleges, graduation rates climb steadily with selectivity, from 54% at open-admission schools to 93% at the most exclusive. The gap is real.
Graduation rate
Acceptance rate
Selectivity
Completion
College outcomes
For-Profit Colleges Charge the Most and Pay the Least
For-profit colleges post the highest median net price of any sector and the lowest graduate earnings. They cost more than private nonprofits and pay less than publics.
For-profit colleges
Net price
Earnings
College ROI
College ownership
Continue Exploring
Browse our full directory: every college, major, program, and career we track, all built from verified government data.
