University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) vs University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP)

Nestled in the heart of Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) and University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) stand as two distinct academic havens, each offering a unique educational experience. While both institutions share the esteemed reputation of the University of Wisconsin System, they diverge in several aspects, catering to different student aspirations and preferences. UWM, situated in the vibrant city of Milwaukee, boasts a diverse student body and a wide range of academic programs, including strong offerings in business, engineering, and the arts. UWSP, on the other hand, finds its home in the charming city of Stevens Point, known for its natural beauty and focus on undergraduate education. With a higher acceptance rate and a smaller student body, UWSP fosters a close-knit community and excels in fields like education, nursing, and natural resources. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve into the specifics and discover which institution aligns best with your academic pursuits and personal preferences.
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee logo

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point logo

University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

Overview

Location Milwaukee, Wisconsin Stevens Point, Wisconsin
Campus setting City: Large Town: Distant
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 76.0% 75.0%
Common app member Yes No
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 89.0% 90.2%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $25

Graduate: $56
Undergraduate: $25

Graduate: $56
SAT range N/A N/A
ACT range 18 - 25 19 - 25
Students submitting SAT score
Students submitting ACT score 82.0% 69.0%
Total number of applicants 14,859 8,100
Total number of admissions given out 13,218 7,303
Admitted students who chose to enroll 3,358 1,810
Yield rate 25.4% 24.8%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Required Required
Recommendation letters Not required Not required
High school transcript Not required Required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Required Required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price
In state: $24,614

Out of state: $36,479
In state: $19,313

Out of state: $28,017
Average net price $17,083 $14,122
Tuition
In state: $8,091

Out of state: $19,956
In state: $6,698

Out of state: $15,402
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $6,274

Meal plan: $4,189
Room/dormitory: $4,600

Meal plan: $3,200
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

89.0%
Average amount $4,401
85.0%
Average amount $3,831
Students receiving federal student loan 43.0%
Average amount $4,970
46.0%
Average amount $4,983
Students taking out private loans 7.0%
Average amount $10,933
8.0%
Average amount $9,737

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 19,411
Men 45.2% Women 54.8%
7,489
Men 43.3% Women 56.7%
Graduate students 4,418
Men 37.3% Women 62.7%
640
Men 26.4% Women 73.6%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Low
Very Low
Out-of-state students 10.7% 10.5%
International students 4.3% 0.6%
Campus local/setting City: Large Town: Distant
Dormitory capacity 4,228 3,049
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from Wisconsin Illinois Minnesota Missouri Indiana Wisconsin Illinois Minnesota Florida Michigan

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Health Professions
  • Business
  • Engineering
  • Liberal Arts
  • Public Administration and Social Service
  • Health Professions
  • Education
  • Natural Resources and Conservation
  • Liberal Arts
  • Visual & Performing Arts
Students to faculty ratio 18:1 20:1
Institutional accreditation Higher Learning Commission Higher Learning Commission

Outcome

Graduation rate 47.4% 55.4%
Dropout rate 48.0% 43.2%
Transferred out N/A N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
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
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $56,856
  • Year 2: $51,972
  • Year 3: $65,045
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $53,058
  • Year 2: $52,107
  • Year 3: $59,616
Soil Sciences (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $45,118
  • Year 2: $47,260
  • Year 3: $56,239
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $49,141
  • Year 2: $49,392
  • Year 3: $53,848
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $43,882
  • Year 2: $49,962
  • Year 3: $51,264
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $40,127
  • Year 2: $39,693
  • Year 3: $47,755
Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $27,532
  • Year 2: $24,615
  • Year 3: $47,617
Forestry (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $37,992
  • Year 2: $35,670
  • Year 3: $46,850
Natural Resources Management and Policy (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $32,505
  • Year 2: $31,640
  • Year 3: $43,601
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $32,273
  • Year 2: $33,138
  • Year 3: $41,847

Frequently Asked Questions


  • What are the main differences between UW-Milwaukee and UW-Stevens Point?

    UW-Milwaukee (UWM) is a large, urban research university located in Wisconsin's largest city, offering a wide array of programs and a diverse student body. UW-Stevens Point (UWSP) is a smaller, more focused university in a smaller city, known for its natural resources programs and strong sense of community. UWM emphasizes research and a broad range of academic disciplines, while UWSP prioritizes hands-on learning and specific career paths, particularly in environmental fields.

  • Which university is larger: UW-Milwaukee or UW-Stevens Point?

    UW-Milwaukee is significantly larger than UW-Stevens Point. UWM has a much larger student population, typically exceeding 24,000 students, while UWSP's enrollment is generally around 8,000 students. This difference in size impacts class sizes, campus atmosphere, and the availability of resources.

  • Where are UW-Milwaukee and UW-Stevens Point located?

    UW-Milwaukee is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a major metropolitan area offering numerous cultural, entertainment, and professional opportunities. UW-Stevens Point is located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, a smaller city in the central part of the state, providing a more close-knit community and easy access to outdoor recreational activities.

  • What academic programs are UW-Milwaukee and UW-Stevens Point known for?

    UW-Milwaukee is known for its strong programs in architecture, engineering, nursing, business, and the arts. UW-Stevens Point is particularly well-regarded for its natural resources, forestry, wildlife ecology, and paper science programs. Both universities offer a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs across different disciplines.

  • How do the costs of attending UW-Milwaukee and UW-Stevens Point compare?

    Generally, tuition costs at UW-Milwaukee and UW-Stevens Point are comparable for in-state students. However, the overall cost of attendance can vary due to differences in living expenses. Milwaukee's urban setting may lead to higher housing and transportation costs compared to Stevens Point. It's best to check the universities' websites for the most up-to-date tuition and fee information.

  • What is campus life like at UW-Milwaukee versus UW-Stevens Point?

    UW-Milwaukee offers a vibrant urban campus life with a diverse range of student organizations, cultural events, and access to the city's amenities. UW-Stevens Point provides a more traditional college town experience with a strong emphasis on outdoor activities, a close-knit community, and numerous student-led initiatives. The campus life at UWM is more integrated with the city, while UWSP's campus is more self-contained.

  • What kind of research opportunities are available at each university?

    UW-Milwaukee, as a research-intensive university, offers extensive research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students across various disciplines. UW-Stevens Point also provides research opportunities, particularly in its areas of strength, such as natural resources and environmental science. UWM's research activities are generally broader in scope due to its larger size and research focus.

  • How do the career services and internship opportunities differ between the two universities?

    UW-Milwaukee benefits from its location in a major city, offering students access to a wide range of internship and job opportunities in diverse industries. UW-Stevens Point leverages its strong industry connections in natural resources and related fields to provide students with relevant internship and career pathways. Both universities have career services offices to assist students with job searching, resume writing, and interview preparation.

  • Which university is a better fit for students interested in environmental science?

    While both universities offer programs related to environmental science, UW-Stevens Point is generally considered to be a stronger choice for students specifically interested in this field. UWSP has a long-standing reputation and specialized programs in natural resources, forestry, and related areas, providing students with hands-on experience and strong career prospects in these fields. UWM also offers environmental science programs, but its focus is broader and may appeal to students interested in the urban aspects of environmental issues.

  • How does the student-to-faculty ratio compare between UW-Milwaukee and UW-Stevens Point?

    UW-Stevens Point generally has a lower student-to-faculty ratio compared to UW-Milwaukee. This means that students at UWSP may have more opportunities for personalized attention from professors and smaller class sizes. While UWM also has dedicated faculty, its larger size can result in larger class sizes, especially in introductory courses.

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