CSU vs. UWM

Comparable Facts

Compare Chicago State University in Chicago, IL 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 CSU based on total student enrollment (22,450 students vs. 2,238 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Chicago State University is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Chicago State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Chicago State University 9:1; University of Wisconsin Milwaukee 17:1.

CSU vs. UWM Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU 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 Chicago State University than UWM ($10,441 vs. $16,263).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chicago State University are 1.1% lower than at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee ($11,550 vs. $11,684).
• Chicago State University is 22.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UWM (about $2,356 more per year; $12,754.00 vs. $10,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 75.6% higher at UWM than at Chicago State University (about $9,644 more per year; $22,398.00 vs. $12,754.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chicago State University than at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee (99% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Chicago State University students is 186.7% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Milwaukee students ($18,194 vs. $6,347).

CSU vs. UWM Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU 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 CSU.

• Incoming UWM students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 17 at CSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chicago State University 750/963.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chicago State University 15/19; University of Wisconsin Milwaukee 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test-free; UWM - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UWM Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman CSU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.18) than students at UWM (3.16).
• UWM has a higher acceptance rate (90.7%) than CSU (43.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 3.8% at CSU vs. 23.8% at UWM.

CSU vs. UWM Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU 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 Chicago State University's (21%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of about $7,800 more per year than CSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,100 vs. $38,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee graduates have a $6,292 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($24,958 vs. $31,250).
• Among borrowers, UWM graduates have an estimated $65 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($258 vs. $323).
• More UWM graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 25%)

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.