University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Milwaukee, Wisconsin · Public · Open access · CDS 2024-2025
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University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is a public university in Milwaukee, Wisconsin that admits about 97% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $15,014 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Marketing, Psychology, General and Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 2.0 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is a public institution located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. For the most recent reporting cycle, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 97%. Admitted students typically post an average SAT of 1090 and an ACT composite around 22. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $15,014 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee?
59% of enrolled students at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee had a high school GPA of 3.00 or above, and the average was 3.07, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What does University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee weight in admissions?
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean
- • Rigor of secondary school record
- • Academic GPA
- • Application essay
SAT and ACT scores University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee typically admits
The middle-50 ACT composite range is 18–25. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.
| 25th percentile | — |
| 50th percentile | 1090 |
| 75th percentile | — |
| % submitting SAT | % |
| 25th percentile | 18 |
| 50th percentile | 22 |
| 75th percentile | 25 |
| % submitting ACT | % |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • Policy detail: Considered if submitted
How much does University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee actually cost?
Published tuition is $10,398 for in-state students and $22,398 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $11,684 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $15,014 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 33% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | $10,398 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $22,398 |
| Room and board | $11,684 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $15,014 |
| Application fee | $0 |
Application deadlines and early decision data for University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
| Regular deadline | 2025-08-01 |
| Rolling admissions | Yes |
Will my child graduate from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee?
These predict outcomes at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
The most popular undergraduate programs at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Marketing, Psychology, General and Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. Across all programs, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee confers roughly 1,760 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Marketing program report a median income of about $64,448 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Marketing | 299 | $64,448 |
| Psychology, General | 278 | $50,559 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 244 | $77,482 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 223 | $65,224 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 213 | $51,174 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | 173 | $68,982 |
| Information Science/Studies | 168 | $71,313 |
| Education, General | 162 | $47,785 |
Is University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee disclosed 33 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 2.0 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 4 violent offenses and 17 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee?
About 19% of undergraduates at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. In Greek life, 0% of men join a fraternity and 0% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
Other colleges in Wisconsin parents ask about
Colleges that admit at a similar rate
Next steps for University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Common questions parents ask about University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
What GPA do I need for University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee?
59% of enrolled students at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee had a high school GPA of 3.00 or above, and the average was 3.07, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee typically admit?
The middle-50 ACT composite range is 18–25.
How much does University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee after grants and scholarships is $15,014 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $10,398 and $22,398 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee realistic for my child?
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee admits 97% of applicants, so 18–25 ACT is target range and below 18 is a reach. Then check the $15,014 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee?
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee accepts about 97% of applicants out of roughly 15,059 who apply each year. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee test-optional?
Yes. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.
What does University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee look for in applicants?
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee rates course rigor and GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee a public or private school, and where is it located?
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is a public institution located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
What are the most popular majors at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee?
The largest undergraduate majors at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee by annual graduates are Marketing, Psychology, General and Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. The school awards about 1,760 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee safe? What is its campus crime rate?
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee reported 33 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 2.0 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee?
At University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 19% of undergraduates live on campus, 0% of men are in fraternities, 0% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers