University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) vs University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM)

Envision yourself pursuing higher education in the vibrant cities of Chicago or Milwaukee. University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) stand out as prominent institutions offering diverse academic programs and a dynamic college experience. While both universities share a commitment to academic excellence, they possess distinct characteristics that may influence your educational journey. UIC boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option for aspiring students. UWM, on the other hand, offers a more intimate learning environment with a smaller student body. Explore the detailed comparison table to delve into further differences, including popular majors, student demographics, graduation rates, and more, to determine which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	University of Illinois Chicago	University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Overview
Location	Chicago, Illinois	Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Campus setting	City: Large	City: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	81.0%	76.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	78.8%	89.0%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $60 Graduate: $70	Undergraduate: $25 Graduate: $56
SAT range	1080 - 1310	N/A
ACT range	23 - 31	18 - 25
Students submitting SAT score	32.0%
Students submitting ACT score	8.0%	82.0%
Total number of applicants	22,791	14,859
Total number of admissions given out	17,960	13,218
Admitted students who chose to enroll	4,177	3,358
Yield rate	23.3%	25.4%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $31,176 Out of state: $45,526	In state: $24,614 Out of state: $36,479
Average net price	$10,725	$17,083
Tuition	In state: $10,776 Out of state: $25,126	In state: $8,091 Out of state: $19,956
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $8,436 Meal plan: $4,677	Room/dormitory: $6,274 Meal plan: $4,189
Available payment plans	Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	75.0% Average amount $13,420	89.0% Average amount $4,401
Students receiving federal student loan	20.0% Average amount $4,778	43.0% Average amount $4,970
Students taking out private loans	3.0% Average amount $17,230	7.0% Average amount $10,933

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	22,279 Men 46.8% Women 53.2%	19,411 Men 45.2% Women 54.8%
Graduate students	11,920 Men 39.9% Women 60.1%	4,418 Men 37.3% Women 62.7%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Low
Out-of-state students	6.3%	10.7%
International students	11.4%	4.3%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	City: Large
Dormitory capacity	3,824	4,228
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Illinois California Indiana Wisconsin Michigan	Wisconsin Illinois Minnesota Missouri Indiana

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Engineering Business Computer and Information Science Education	Health Professions Business Engineering Liberal Arts Public Administration and Social Service
Students to faculty ratio	19:1	18:1
Institutional accreditation	Higher Learning Commission	Higher Learning Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	62.3%	47.4%
Dropout rate	35.0%	48.0%
Transferred out	N/A	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $80,152 Year 2: $111,220 Year 3: $124,034 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $108,092 Year 3: $115,765 Dentistry (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $97,991 Year 2: $101,278 Year 3: $108,049 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $79,216 Year 2: $94,021 Year 3: $100,439 Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $85,284 Year 2: $91,744 Year 3: $96,488 Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $114,258 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $93,942 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $79,271 Year 2: $80,189 Year 3: $92,984 Psychology, General (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $52,905 Year 2: $74,576 Year 3: $85,772 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $73,060 Year 2: $68,153 Year 3: $80,429 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $64,975 Year 2: $70,610 Year 3: $78,062	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $95,506 Year 2: $84,653 Year 3: $93,377 Engineering, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $68,454 Year 2: $78,343 Year 3: $86,207 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $65,770 Year 2: $67,812 Year 3: $72,895 Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $72,590 Year 2: $72,727 Year 3: $72,400 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $60,200 Year 2: $65,267 Year 3: $71,939 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $64,477 Year 2: $66,247 Year 3: $71,536 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $67,137 Year 2: $67,995 Year 3: $71,158 Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,809 Year 2: $64,196 Year 3: $69,426 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,103 Year 2: $57,995 Year 3: $68,280 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $61,159 Year 2: $60,851 Year 3: $65,279

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM)?

UIC is a large, public research university located in the heart of Chicago, offering a diverse urban experience and a strong focus on health sciences and urban planning. UWM, also a public research university, is situated in a vibrant neighborhood of Milwaukee, known for its strong arts programs, freshwater sciences, and a more traditional campus feel compared to UIC's urban setting. UIC tends to have a larger student body and a more pronounced commuter culture, while UWM offers a blend of residential and commuter students.
Which university, UIC or UWM, is more affordable?

Generally, UWM tends to be more affordable for Wisconsin residents due to in-state tuition rates. However, for out-of-state students, the cost difference may be less significant, and it's crucial to compare tuition, fees, and cost of living in Chicago versus Milwaukee. Both universities offer financial aid and scholarships, so exploring those options is essential for determining the actual cost for your specific situation.
How do UIC and UWM compare in terms of academic programs?

Both UIC and UWM offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs. UIC is particularly strong in health sciences (medicine, pharmacy, public health), urban planning, architecture, and engineering. UWM excels in arts (film, music, theater), freshwater sciences, architecture, and business. It's best to check the specific departments and faculty within your intended major at both universities to see which aligns better with your academic interests.
What is the campus environment like at UIC versus UWM?

UIC offers a distinctly urban campus experience, integrated into the city of Chicago. This provides students with access to numerous cultural, professional, and social opportunities. UWM has a more traditional campus setting in a residential neighborhood of Milwaukee, offering a blend of campus life and access to city amenities. UIC tends to have a larger commuter population, while UWM has a more balanced mix of residential and commuter students, fostering a stronger sense of on-campus community.
Which university is better for students interested in research?

Both UIC and UWM are research universities, offering numerous opportunities for students to get involved in research projects. UIC, being a larger institution, has a higher volume of research activity, particularly in health sciences and urban-related fields. UWM has strong research programs in freshwater sciences, engineering, and arts-related fields. The 'better' choice depends on your specific research interests and the availability of research opportunities within your chosen field at each university.
How do the career services and internship opportunities compare between UIC and UWM?

Both UIC and UWM offer career services to help students with internships, job searches, and career development. UIC's location in Chicago provides access to a vast network of businesses and organizations, offering diverse internship and job opportunities, especially in finance, healthcare, and technology. UWM's location in Milwaukee provides access to opportunities in manufacturing, healthcare, and financial services. Both universities have strong alumni networks that can be valuable for career advancement.
What are the admission requirements for UIC and UWM?

Admission requirements vary depending on the program and your academic background. Generally, both universities require a strong high school GPA, standardized test scores (though many programs are test-optional), and a well-written application essay. UIC tends to be slightly more competitive in terms of admission standards, particularly for certain programs. Check the specific admission requirements for your intended program on each university's website.
How do UIC and UWM compare in terms of student life and extracurricular activities?

Both UIC and UWM offer a wide range of student organizations, clubs, and activities. UIC's urban location provides access to a vibrant city life with numerous cultural events, concerts, and sporting events. UWM has a more traditional campus life with a strong focus on student organizations, intramural sports, and campus events. The 'better' choice depends on your personal preferences and whether you prefer a more urban or campus-centered experience.
Which university has a stronger focus on diversity and inclusion?

Both UIC and UWM are committed to diversity and inclusion, and both have diverse student populations. UIC, located in a major metropolitan area, tends to have a more diverse student body in terms of race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic background. Both universities offer resources and programs to support students from diverse backgrounds and promote a welcoming and inclusive campus environment. Reviewing each university's diversity and inclusion initiatives and resources can help you determine which aligns better with your values.
How do the graduate programs at UIC and UWM differ?

Both UIC and UWM offer a variety of graduate programs. UIC is particularly strong in health sciences, urban planning, and engineering at the graduate level. UWM has notable graduate programs in freshwater sciences, architecture, and fine arts. When considering graduate programs, it's crucial to research the specific faculty, research opportunities, and program structure within your field of interest at both universities to determine the best fit for your academic and career goals.

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