
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee (UWM), located five blocks from Lake Michigan, offers 170 degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The UWM offers excellent research programs. Additionally, in its effort to be an accessible institute of higher learning to the broadest possible student population, UWM offers many certificate and non-degree programs.
History
The University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee was founded in 1885 as the "Milwaukee Normal School," a two-year teacher training college. The school changed names many times through the years, becoming UWM in 1956.
Academics
The University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee follows the semester system. It has a Semester I in the fall, a short "UwinteriM" session in January, followed by a Semester II in the spring, and a calendar of short Summer Sessions.
Colleges and Schools
UWM has 14 colleges and schools, which are:
- School of Architecture and Urban Planning
- School of Continuing Education
- School of Education
- College of Engineering and Applied Science
- School of Freshwater Sciences
- Graduate School
- College of Health Sciences
- Helen Bader School of Social Welfare
- School of Information Studies
- College o fLetters and Science
- College of Nursing
- Peck School of the Arts
- School of Public Health
- Sheldon B. Lubar School of Business
UWM has many centers, institutes, laboratories and academic support areas within and in addition to its colleges and schools.
Student Life
UWM offers numerous flats and apartments for those interested in on-campus living, as well as many on-campus dining options. For students who wish to connect with others, there are many student clubs and organizations available for participation, including recreational sports leagues.
Athletics
The "Panthers" athletics department at UWM is very active, with seven men's and eight women's teams competing at the NCAA Division I level, including:
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
Community Life
UWM is very active in the community of Milwaukee and much of southeastern Wisconsin. UWM has many business partners, and the university is involved in M7, which is the Milwaukee 7 Economic Development Campaign. UWM also has many non-profit partnerships in the area, including the Milwaukee Public Schools, and several health and social service agencies.
The UWM campus is situated in an attractive part of Milwaukee near Lake Michigan. It is in easy walking distance to shopping and entertainment areas, and is a short bus ride away from the downtown area.
Admission Requirements & Details
The admissions information below may give an overview of the students UWM accepts. The details may include application requirements and recommendations, as well as any college or dual credits that may be transferred.
College Credits Accepted
- Dual Credits
- AP Course Credits
Student Enrollment
Total enrollment at University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee is around 27,000 students, where graduate students make up roughly 12% of the student body.
Estimated Costs & Financial Aid
The average "out of pocket" cost of attendance, after any grants and scholarships are considered, is around $13,800. To calculate a more personalized cost visit the net price calculator. There is also a $44 application fee for students applying to the school. The figures listed below are for informational purposes only and do not represent current or future tuition, fees, and expenses.
Tuition & Fees Information
- Annual tuition estimates are:
- In-State: $8,100-$9,700
- Out-of-State: $18,000-$21,920
- Charges per unit:
- In-State: $340-$400 per unit
- Out-of-State: $760-$910 per unit
Financial Aid Details
The table below breaks down the types of financial aid, the percent of students receiving aid, and average amount of aid per student per year.
Percent of Students | Average Amount | |
---|---|---|
Any Financial Aid | 85% | - |
Receiving Grants & Scholarships | 60% | $6,576 |
Receiving Student Loans | 71% | $7,276 |
Academics & Student Services
Student Services
To help support students, University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee may provide student services like:- Online course work available
- Remedial instructional courses
- Counseling assistance
- Work study style employment
- Assistance to find work
- Child care
Graduation Rates
The overall graduation rate of UWM is close to 41%.
Number of Year to Graduate | Percent of Entering Class |
---|---|
Students Graduating in 4 Years | 13% |
Graduating in 5 Years | 20% |
Graduating in 6 Years | 8% |
Specialized Programs & Accreditations
- Clinical Psychology (Ph.D.) Program
- Counseling Psychology (Ph.D.) Program
- Dance Program
- English Language Program
- Music Program
- Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (BSN) Program
- Nursing (MSN, DSN) Program
- Occupational Therapy (OT) Program
- Radiology Technician Program
- School Psychology (Ph.D.) Program
- Speech-Language Pathology Program
Intercollegiate Athletics
University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee is a Member of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), with many of the sports being in the NCAA Division I-AAA classification. The most popular sports played are listed below:
- Baseball (Horizon League)
- Basketball (Horizon League)
- Track and Field (Horizon League)
- Soccer
- Swimming and Diving
- Tennis
- Volleyball
Programs Offered
The program list below is organized by areas of study. The programs that have a link will direct you to the program's profile page where you can learn more about education requirements and career pathways.

Get more information about the programs offered by University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee by clicking the request information to the right.
(C) Certificate or Award | (A) Associate's | (B) Bachelor's | (M) Master's Degree | (D) Doctorate (PhD,...)
Architecture
- Architecture (B, D, M)
- Urban Planning (M)
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Biology (B, D, M)
- Biochemistry (B)
- Microbiology (B)
- Zoology
Business and Marketing Studies
- Business Administration (M)
- Advertising and Marketing (B)
- Finance (B)
- Operations Management (B)
- Accounting (B)
- Human Resources Development (B)
- Information Systems (B)
- Organizational and Nonprofit Management (M)
- Risk Management and Insurance (B)
- Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (D)
Communications and Journalism
- Media Studies (B, M)
- Communications (B, D, M)
Computer and Information Sciences
- Information Science (B, D)
- Computer Science (B, M)
- Computer
Education
- Education (B)
- Educational Leadership and Administration (M)
- Urban Education and Leadership (B, D)
- Curriculum and Instruction (M)
- Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education (M)
- Special Education (B, M)
- Art Teacher Education (B)
- Music Teacher Education (B)
Engineering
- Engineering (D, M)
- Mechanical Engineering (B)
- Civil Engineering (B)
- Electrical Engineering (B)
- Industrial Engineering (B)
- Materials Engineering (B)
- Computer Engineering (B)
- Manufacturing Engineer
English Language and Literature
- English (B, D, M)
Ethnic Cultural and Gender Studies
- Women's Studies (B, M)
- Latin American and Caribbean Studies (B)
- African-American Black Studies (B)
Foreign Languages and Literature
- Foreign Languages and Literatures (M)
- Linguistics (B, M)
- Spanish Language and Literature (B, M)
- French Language and Literature (B)
- Germanic Languages, Literatures and Linguistics (B)
- Italian Language and Literature (B)
- Comparative Literature (B)
- Classical Languages, Literatures and Linguistics (B)
- Russian Language and Literature
Health and Clinical Professions
- Nursing (B, D, M)
- Medical Technology (B, M)
- Hospital and Healthcare Facility Management (B)
- Occupational Therapy (B, M)
- Audiology and Speech Pathology (B, M)
- Physical Therapy (D)
- Public Health (D, M)
- Nursing Practice (D)
- Athletic Training (B)
- Health Informatics (D, M)
- Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences (D)
- Medical Records Administrator
History
- History (B, M)
Interdisciplinary Studies
Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Liberal Arts (M)
Library Science
- Library Science, Librarianship (M)
Mathematics and Statistics
- Math (B, D, M)
- Applied Mathematics (B)
Natural Resources and Conservation
- Environmental Science (B)
- Water, Wetlands and Marine Resources Management (D, M)
Philosophy and Religious Studies
- Philosophy (B, M)
- Religious Studies (B)
- Jewish and Judaic Studies (B)
Physical Sciences
Psychology
- Psychology (B, D, M)
- Educational Psychology (D, M)
- School Psychology (M)
Public Administration and Social Services
- Social Work (B, D, M)
- Public Administration (M)
Recreation and Fitness Studies
Security and Protective Services
- Criminal Justice (B, M)
Social Sciences
- Economics (B, D, M)
- Sociology (B, M)
- Political Science (B, M)
- Anthropology (B, D, M)
- Geography (B, D, M)
- Urban Studies (D, M)
Visual and Performing Arts
- Art Studies (B, M)
- Film Studies (B)
- Music (B, M)
- Drama and Theatre Arts (B)
- Dance (B)
- Visual and Performing Arts (M)
- Art History (B, M)
- Fine Arts and Art Studies
Other 4-Year Public Colleges
The list of schools below have been selected by researching which schools offer similar programs to University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee.
- University of Wisconsin - Parkside in Kenosha, WI (29 miles away)
- University of Wisconsin - Whitewater in Whitewater, WI (47 miles away)
- University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh in Oshkosh, WI (74 miles away)
- Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago, IL (76 miles away)
- University of Wisconsin Colleges in Madison, WI (76 miles away)
Also, you can compare schools by looking through our list of colleges & universities:
- Get a list of all the colleges in Wisconsin
- Browse our list of public colleges in Wisconsin