University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Admissions Statistics

Learn about UW-Milwaukee and the GPA and ACT Scores You'll Need

University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. Freekee / Wikimedia Commons
by Allen Grove
Dr. Allen Grove is an Alfred University English professor and a college admissions expert with 20 years of experience helping students transition to college.
Updated February 08, 2019

Most students with decent grades and standardized test scores will get into the University of Wisconsin's Milwaukee campus. The school has a 72 percent acceptance rate, and students with average or better grades and ACT scores are likely to be admitted. As part of the application, students are required to submit SAT or ACT scores and a personal statement.

Why UW-Milwaukee?

  • Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
  • Campus Features: UWM's 104-acre campus is home to five large residence halls and a 259,769 square foot exercise center. Lake Michigan is just blocks away, as are over a hundred miles of bike paths.
  • Student/Faculty Ratio: 18:1
  • Athletics: The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Panthers compete in the NCAA Division I Horizon League.
  • Highlights: Undergraduates at UWM can choose from 92 academic programs and over 300 student organizations. The school is one of only two public doctoral-level research universities in Wisconsin.


UW-Milwaukee Admissions Statistics 2017-18

For students who entered the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in the 2017-18 academic year, the acceptance rate was 72 percent. ACT scores for admitted students are presented below organized by score percentile.

ACT Score Percentiles
Section 25th Percentile 75th Percentile
English 19 25
Math 18 25
Composite 20 25

An average ACT score is a 21, so you can see that more UWM students earned scores that were above average rather than below average. If you compare ACT scores for Wisconsin colleges and universities, you'll see that UW-Milwaukee's admissions standards are similar to many of the other state campuses, but quite a bit lower than the flagship campus in Madison.

UW-Milwaukee GPA, SAT Score, and ACT Score Graph

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee GPA, SAT score, and ACT score graph for admission.
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee GPA, SAT score, and ACT score graph for admission.  Graph courtesy of Cappex

The grades and ACT score data in the graph was self-reported by applicants to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Grades are unweighted. You can see the real-time graph and calculate your own chances of getting into UWM with a free account at Cappex.

Discussion of UW-Milwaukee's Admissions Standards

The blue and green dots in the graph represented accepted students, so you can see that the great majority of applicants were admitted and that they tended to have grades in the "B" range or higher and ACT scores of 17 or better. Some students were admitted with lower grades and test scores, but the chances of receiving a rejection letter will go up significantly.

The most important part of your UWM application will be your academic record. The admissions folks want to see that you have completed 4 credits of English, 3 credits of mathematics, 3 credits of natural science, 3 credits of history or social science, and 4 elective credits that can include courses such as a foreign language, fine arts, or computer science. The strongest applicants will have challenged themselves academically in high school, and success in AP, IB, Honors, and dual enrollment classes is one of the best ways to demonstrate your college readiness.

Note that the admission process is holistic, and the university will consider non-numerical measures such as your personal statement and optional letters of recommendation. These documents can be particularly important if your grades or ACT scores are less than ideal.

More University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Information

UW-Milwaukee's tuition is a bargain for in-state students. That said, as you calculate costs, be sure to take into account the university's extremely low four-year graduation rate. The longer it takes to graduate, the more college is going to cost.

Enrollment (2017)

  • Total Enrollment: 24,988 (20,360 undergraduates)
  • Gender Breakdown: 48 percent male / 52 percent female
  • 84 percent full-time

Costs (2017-18)

  • Tuition and Fees: $9,565 (in-state); $20,844 (out-of-state)
  • Books: $800 (why so much?)
  • Room and Board: $10,560
  • Other Expenses: $3,306
  • Total Cost: $24,231 (in-state); $35,510 (out-of-state)

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Financial Aid (2016-17)

  • Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 84 percent
  • Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
  • Grants: 64 percent
  • Loans: 65 percent
  • Average Amount of Aid
  • Grants: $5,647
  • Loans: $7,501

Academic Programs

Retention and Graduation Rates

  • First Year Student Retention (full-time students): 74 percent
  • 4-Year Graduation Rate: 15 percent
  • 6-Year Graduation Rate: 41 percent

Intercollegiate Athletic Programs

  • Men's Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Soccer, Swimming & Diving, Track & Field
  • Women's Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Soccer, Swimming & Diving, Tennis, Track & Field, Volleyball

If You Like UW-Milwaukee, Check Out These Schools

Applicants to the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee tend to apply to other universities in the state system. Some of the most popular UW campuses include Whitewater, La Crosse, and Oshkosh. Among private options, Marquette University is a favorite among UWM applicants.

For students who are also looking at campuses outside of the state, be sure to check out the University of Iowa and the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Data Source: Graph courtesy of Cappex; all other data from the National Center for Education Statistics