UWM vs. Purdue Northwest

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Wisconsin Milwaukee in Milwaukee, WI with Purdue University Northwest in Hammond, Indiana on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is larger than Purdue Northwest based on total student enrollment (22,450 students vs. 9,051 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is located in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting); Purdue University Northwest is in Hammond, Indiana (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Purdue University Northwest is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Wisconsin Milwaukee 17:1; Purdue University Northwest 17:1.

UWM vs. Purdue Northwest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UWM or Purdue Northwest? 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 Purdue University Northwest than UWM ($7,916 vs. $16,263).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Purdue University Northwest are 23.8% lower than at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee ($8,907 vs. $11,684).
• University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is 19.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purdue Northwest (about $1,723 more per year; $10,398.00 vs. $8,675.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 39.2% higher at UWM than at Purdue University Northwest (about $6,304 more per year; $22,398.00 vs. $16,094.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee than at Purdue University Northwest (91% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Purdue University Northwest students is 10.2% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Milwaukee students ($6,992 vs. $6,347).

UWM vs. Purdue Northwest Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UWM or Purdue Northwest? 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 Purdue Northwest and UWM.

• Incoming UWM students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at Purdue Northwest).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsPurdue University Northwest 890/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Wisconsin Milwaukee 19/24; Purdue University Northwest 16/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UWM - Test optional; Purdue Northwest - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UWM Sep 1, 2026; Purdue Northwest Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Purdue Northwest students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.19) than students at UWM (3.16).
• UWM has a higher acceptance rate (90.7%) than Purdue Northwest (72.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.8% at UWM vs. 18.3% at Purdue Northwest.

UWM vs. Purdue Northwest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UWM and Purdue Northwest? 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).

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.