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University of Wisconsin-Madison vs University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

University of Wisconsin-Madison is a public university in Madison, WI. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is a public university in Milwaukee, WI. University of Wisconsin-Madison admits about 45% of applicants and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee about 91%, making University of Wisconsin-Madison the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $15,014 a year at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee after aid, and about $17,354 at University of Wisconsin-Madison. About 89% of students graduate at University of Wisconsin-Madison, compared with 50% at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Ten years after enrolling, University of Wisconsin-Madison alumni earn a median of about $73,792, against $54,990 for University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Madison, WI · Public

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Milwaukee, WI · Public
At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
Madison, WI
Milwaukee, WI
Setting
Urban
Urban
Undergraduates
36,902
16,758
Acceptance rate
45%
91%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.5–4
3.32–3.82
SAT (middle 50%)
1380–1520
Not reported
ACT (middle 50%)
29–33
18–25
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$17,354
$15,014
Full cost / yr
$28,679
$22,756
In-state tuition
$11,603
$10,398
Out-of-state tuition
$42,103
$22,398
Application fee
$70
Not reported
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$4,200
$10,329
$30k - $48k
$4,101
$10,709
$48k - $75k
$8,134
$12,344
$75k - $110k
$17,763
$19,315
Over $110k
$27,292
$21,477
Outcomes
Graduation rate
89%
50%
Freshman retention
96%
73%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$61,275
$45,851
Median earnings (10 yr)
$73,792
$54,990
Median debt at graduation
$20,484
$23,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
16%
33%
First-generation students
17%
33%
International students
10%
2%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Nov 1
Not reported
Regular decision
Jan 15
Aug 1

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is University of Wisconsin-Madison or University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee harder to get into?
University of Wisconsin-Madison is harder to get into. It admits about 45% of applicants, compared with 91% at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, University of Wisconsin-Madison or University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee?
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is cheaper on average. Students pay about $15,014 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $17,354 at University of Wisconsin-Madison. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at University of Wisconsin-Madison and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee?
Before aid, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee costs about $22,756 a year and University of Wisconsin-Madison about $28,679. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, University of Wisconsin-Madison or University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee?
University of Wisconsin-Madison. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $4,200 there, against about $10,329 at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, University of Wisconsin-Madison or University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee?
University of Wisconsin-Madison is the larger of the two, with about 36,902 undergraduates against 16,758 at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Does University of Wisconsin-Madison or University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee have a better graduation rate?
University of Wisconsin-Madison has the higher graduation rate, at about 89% against 50% at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Do graduates of University of Wisconsin-Madison or University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee earn more?
University of Wisconsin-Madison alumni earn more on average: a median of about $73,792 ten years after enrolling, against about $54,990 for University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do University of Wisconsin-Madison and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee require SAT or ACT scores?
University of Wisconsin-Madison is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.

Which of these is the better fit for you?

These lists are a great start, but the one list that actually matters is yours. Blueprint builds it in two free steps.

1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school