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California State University, San Marcos vs University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Odds, test scores, cost, aid and graduation rates, side by side from each school's own Common Data Set. Add more schools

Getting in

Acceptance rate95.1%95.3%
Early decision rateNo EDNo ED
SAT middle 50%860–1113—
ACT middle 50%18.5–24—
Applicant reports on our site312

Cost and aid

Tuition$6,838 in-state$10,020 in-state
Tuition, out-of-state$20,968$22,020
Food and housing$15,388$11,220
Sticker price per year$38,852$33,306
Average need-based grant—$7,768
Average % of need met—47%

Outcomes

First-year retention79.1%73%
6-year graduation rate54.9%51%
Undergraduates15,77018,428

Best value in each row is highlighted. Sticker price uses out-of-state tuition for public universities and leaves out books, travel and aid. "—" means the school left the item blank in its Common Data Set.

California State University, San Marcos or University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee?

Is California State University, San Marcos harder to get into than University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee?

They are about equally selective: California State University, San Marcos admitted 95.1% of first-year applicants (2025-26) and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee admitted 95.3% (2023-24).

Which is cheaper, California State University, San Marcos or University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee?

Before aid, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee costs about $33,306 a year in tuition, fees, food and housing, against $38,852 at California State University, San Marcos (out-of-state tuition for public universities).

Does California State University, San Marcos or University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee have a higher graduation rate?

54.9% of California State University, San Marcos students graduate within six years, compared with 51% at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

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