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University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Admission at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is close to open (85.7%), which shifts the homework to outcomes: check the $55,356 median earnings below before the application.
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University of Wisconsin-Whitewater anchors the college town of Whitewater, WI, where the public campus and town largely share a footprint.
Its highest-earning path is International Business, where graduates median $89,687 four years out. 25.2% of undergraduates carry Pell grants — a plain read on who the campus actually serves. With 9,405 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 78% of first-years come back for a second year.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 18 and 24 on the ACT composite. Put your own practice estimate on University of Wisconsin-Whitewater's range with the ACT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
In the Fall 2023 cycle, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater received 11,190 applications and admitted 9,261 (82.8%), with 2,217 enrolling.
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is test-optional — scores count when submitted, none required. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater's submitters' middle half scored 18–24 on the ACT; read that as the stronger-tester end of the admitted class.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Composite | 18 | 21 | 24 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
How University of Wisconsin-Whitewater compares
| University of Wisconsin-Whitewater | Wisconsin median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 85.7% | 81.5% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $8,616 | $33,396 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $55,356 | $55,452 | $53,781 |
At $55,356, ten-year earnings trail the state median ($55,452). Look at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater's major-level rows below before reading too much into the campus-wide number.
Cost, size & completion
In-state students pay $8,616 in tuition; crossing a state border raises that to $18,716. For non-residents, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater's $18,716 is the number to weigh against private options before assuming public means cheaper.
At 9,405 undergrads, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is a mid-sized campus by U.S. standards.
58.9% graduate within six years. Roughly 41% don't — ask a University of Wisconsin-Whitewater tour guide what happens to them and watch the answer carefully.
Top majors by earnings at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| International Business | $89,687 |
| Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians | $81,385 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $79,799 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $78,762 |
| Economics | $77,395 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $73,415 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $72,928 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $68,873 |
| Marketing | $67,317 |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | $67,300 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $63,936 |
| Mathematics | $63,850 |
| Criminology | $63,365 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $62,750 |
| Geography and Cartography | $62,589 |
| Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other | $60,386 |
| Public Administration | $60,383 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $60,241 |
| Chemistry | $58,170 |
| Biology, General | $58,118 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $56,878 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $56,575 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $55,152 |
| Political Science and Government | $54,074 |
| Social Work | $52,888 |
| International/Globalization Studies | $52,885 |
| Psychology, General | $52,284 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $51,908 |
| Journalism | $50,970 |
| Sociology | $50,827 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $50,827 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $49,506 |
| History | $48,693 |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General | $47,819 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $46,637 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $46,409 |
| Music | $45,306 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $39,521 |
Median earnings for these 38 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $55,356 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 14 additional University of Wisconsin-Whitewater programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for University of Wisconsin-Whitewater?
The middle 50% of University of Wisconsin-Whitewater's submitters earned ACT composites of 18–24; no GPA cutoff is published.
What is University of Wisconsin-Whitewater's acceptance rate?
82.8% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 9,261 admitted from 11,190 applicants.
How much does University of Wisconsin-Whitewater cost?
In-state tuition is $8,616; out-of-state students pay $18,716. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.
What do University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $55,356 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in Wisconsin
- University of Wisconsin-Green Bay — 88.6% admitted
- University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh — 86.5% admitted
- Herzing University-Madison — 94.3% admitted
- University of Wisconsin-Stout — 87.7% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.