University of Wisconsin Milwaukee

  • 4/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Milwaukee, WI
  • 0 reviews
#8 Best Public Universities in Wisconsin

Overview

Total enrollment

22,450
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee overview
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee overview
  • Size Large
  • Status Non-profit
  • Housing Yes
  • Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate

Located in Wisconsin's largest city, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) occupies an urban campus spread across 104 acres on Milwaukee's east side, near the shores of Lake Michigan. The institution began as Milwaukee Normal School in 1885 and merged with the University of Wisconsin system in 1956, evolving into a major research university. UWM maintains a mix of modern and historic buildings, including the iconic Golda Meir Library and the School of Architecture and Urban Planning's distinctive brutalist design. The university is known for its programs in freshwater sciences, engineering, business, and film, housing one of the only dedicated film schools in the University of Wisconsin System. Most first-year students reside in one of the university's residence halls, while the campus also serves a substantial commuter population from the greater Milwaukee metropolitan area.

Ratings

UWM is rated within the lower 37% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 4 out of 10.

  • Overall Rating
    4 out of 10
  • Academics
    4 out of 10
  • Resources
    5 out of 10
  • Outcomes
    5 out of 10
  • Value
    2 out of 10

Admissions

Admission Standards

Very Easy
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee admission standards
  • ACT (enrolled mid-50) 19/24
  • GPA 3.16

Acceptance Rate

90.7%
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee applications overview
  • Applications Due Sep 1, 2026
  • Enrollment Rate 23.8%
  • Application Fee $0

Applicant Competition Very Low

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Annual Cost to Attend

Wisconsin Resident Tuition

$10,398

Out of State Resident Tuition

$22,398

Breakdown

In State Costs for University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
  • Tuition $10,398
  • Books and Supplies $800
  • Other Fees $1,626
  • Room and Board $11,684
  • Budget for Other Expenses $3,742
  • Total One Year Cost $28,250

Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$46,100 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

40% within 6 years

Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee are Business, Health Professions, and Education. 27% of students major in Business, 10% in Health Professions, and 7% in Education.

  • Business 27%
  • Health Professions 10%
  • Education 7%
  • Social Sciences 7%
  • Visual and Performing Arts 7%

More Colleges to Consider

Students considering University of Wisconsin Milwaukee are frequently interested in these similar colleges.

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=240453.

GPA calculator: University of Wisconsin Milwaukee GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026