University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee vs West Virginia University

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and West Virginia University are both well-regarded institutions, but they differ in important ways. Here's how they compare across key dimensions.

Admissions: West Virginia University is more selective with a 86.3% acceptance rate compared to University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's 88.4%. Average SAT scores are 1090 and 1129 respectively.

Cost: West Virginia University offers a lower average net price at $12,997, which is $3,180 less than University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee ($16,177). After financial aid, this can make a significant difference over 4 years.

Career Outcomes: Graduates from West Virginia University earn a median salary of $55,939 ten years after enrollment, which is $949 more than University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee graduates ($54,990).

Graduation: West Virginia University leads with a 61.7% graduation rate, and freshman retention rates are 72.1% vs 81.5%.

Campus Size: West Virginia University is the larger campus with 17,705 total students, while University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee has 16,762.

Bottom Line: West Virginia University stands out as both more affordable and producing higher-earning graduates — making it the stronger value proposition overall.