UW-Milwaukee combines accessible admission with earnings performance that substantially exceeds expectations. As an Opportunity Builder institution, the university produces graduates earning $8,699 beyond predictions while maintaining manageable debt levels and serving diverse student populations including 33% first-generation students.
Earning above average recognition and driven by strong earnings beyond expectations
With above average performance, reflecting controlled costs and manageable debt levels
With well above average performance, reflecting the university's effectiveness in combining access with earnings outcomes
With well above average performance, reflecting the university's effectiveness in combining access with earnings outcomes
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Opportunity Builder with strong earnings uplift
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee ranks #432 nationally in Azimuth's comprehensive analysis, with composite performance at the 73.5th percentile. Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this large public university maintains open access admission standards with a 92.3% acceptance rate while delivering above-average post-graduation outcomes.
UW-Milwaukee enrolls 17.3% Pell-eligible students and 33.0% first-generation students, reflecting its commitment to serving diverse student populations. Graduates earn $8,699 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 83.2nd percentile nationally for earnings uplift.
Median earnings reach $54,990 ten years after enrollment, placing UW-Milwaukee at the 57th percentile for long-term earnings. This combination of accessible admission, moderate access levels, and strong earnings performance positions UW-Milwaukee as an Opportunity Builder institution, where accessible education translates into meaningful economic advancement for graduates.
UW-Milwaukee demonstrates strong return on investment through controlled debt levels and earnings growth that exceeds expectations. Graduates earn a median of $54,990 ten years after enrollment, with earnings ranging from $36,406 at the 25th percentile to $76,601 at the 75th percentile.
The institution generates $8,699 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it in the 83.2nd percentile nationally on this measure and earning a tier designation of well above average. Low-income graduates earn $46,000, reflecting solid outcomes for students from lower-income backgrounds.
Students seeking strong value in business, technology, and health programs at an accessible public university. Particularly well-suited for first-generation students (33%) and those prioritizing manageable debt levels while still achieving above-average post-graduation earnings growth.
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee maintains open access admission standards with a 92.3% acceptance rate, meaning roughly 9 in 10 applicants receive admission offers. This places UW-Milwaukee well above typical admission rates, with a peer median acceptance rate of 78.1% highlighting the university's commitment to educational accessibility.
The high acceptance rate reflects UW-Milwaukee's mission as a public research university serving Wisconsin residents and broader student populations. This level of accessibility means that most academically prepared students can expect admission, though meeting minimum requirements remains important.
For prospective students, UW-Milwaukee's open access approach eliminates much of the uncertainty associated with highly competitive admissions processes. Students should focus on academic preparation and program fit rather than admission strategy, as the university prioritizes broad educational access over selectivity.
This approach allows students to concentrate on choosing programs that align with their career goals and academic interests. The combination of open access and strong post-graduation outcomes makes UW-Milwaukee particularly valuable for students seeking quality education without admission barriers.
Students building college lists should consider UW-Milwaukee as a reliable option that combines accessibility with demonstrated graduate success across multiple fields of study.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's published cost of attendance is $22,174 per year, including $22,020 in out-of-state tuition, $10,980 for room and board, and $800 for books and supplies. Wisconsin residents pay $10,020 in tuition, significantly reducing the total cost.
However, the average student pays just $16,177 after financial aid, representing savings of $5,997 from the sticker price. This net price of $16,177 compares closely to the peer median of $15,590, positioning UW-Milwaukee as reasonably priced within its comparison group.
The financial aid system reduces costs for students across income levels, though the magnitude of savings varies significantly based on family income. Net prices range from $10,860 for the lowest-income students to $21,112 for families earning over $110,000, reflecting a progressive aid structure that provides the largest discounts to students with the greatest financial need.
The $10,252 gap between lowest and highest net prices demonstrates substantial income-based pricing that makes the university more accessible to lower-income students while maintaining full-pay expectations for higher-income families.
UW-Milwaukee graduates demonstrate consistent earnings growth over time, with median earnings rising from $45,851 six years after enrollment to $50,789 at eight years and $54,990 at ten years, representing 19.9% growth from the six-year mark. These outcomes are based on a ten-year cohort of 8,669 graduates, providing high confidence in the reported figures.
The institution produces graduates earning $8,699 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing UW-Milwaukee in the 83.2nd percentile for earnings uplift and earning recognition as a top 25% performer nationally. Low-income graduates earn $46,000, reflecting the university's effectiveness in supporting students from diverse economic backgrounds.
Earnings span from $36,406 at the 25th percentile to $76,601 at the 75th percentile, with the 2.1:1 ratio reflecting differences in program choice and career trajectory. Approximately 25.3% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating strong preparation for both advanced education and workforce entry.
Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
37 graduates
Computer Science.
69 graduates
Mechanical Engineering.
115 graduates
Actuarial Science.
11 graduates
Civil Engineering, General.
57 graduates
UW-Milwaukee offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with sufficient federal earnings data for ranking. Education, General ranks #5 nationally and #1 in Wisconsin, producing 153 graduates with median earnings of $44,161 and an outstanding value score of 76.5.
Information Science/Studies ranks #26 nationally and #1 in Wisconsin, graduating 182 students with median earnings of $63,965. Digital Marketing ranks #60 nationally and #3 in Wisconsin, with 292 graduates earning $56,157 and a strong value score of 72.9.
Art History, Criticism and Conservation ranks #61 nationally and #2 in Wisconsin, graduating 126 students with median earnings of $36,911 and a value score of 73.6. Business Administration and Management ranks #87 nationally and #2 in Wisconsin, with 157 graduates earning $66,918.
Psychology, General graduates 360 students annually, representing the university's largest program by enrollment, reflecting strong student demand in this field.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Florida Gulf Coast University Similar quality tier (#210 ranked) | FL | 77% | $54,560 | #210 | Compare |
University Of Nevada-Reno Similar quality tier (#211 ranked) | NV | 85% | $60,614 | #211 | Compare |
Michigan Technological University Similar quality tier in Midwest (#212 ranked) | MI | 88% | $78,198 | #212 | Compare |
William Paterson University Of New Jersey Similar quality tier (#214 ranked) | NJ | 93% | $57,780 | #214 | Compare |
The University Of Texas At Tyler Similar quality tier (#215 ranked) | TX | 92% | $57,053 | #215 | Compare |
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This is the University Of Wisconsin-Milwaukee hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/university-of-wisconsin-milwaukee/analysis.
