Skip to main content
85.4%Acceptance
$8,315Tuition
5,928Students
62%Grad Rate (6-yr)
$61,760Earnings
#9 in WisconsinPublic4-yearSAT/ACT Test OptionalNCAA Division IIIStudy AbroadData: 2023-24

About University of Wisconsin-Platteville

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville has built a reputation as an engineering powerhouse in southwest Wisconsin's rolling farmland. This full public university enrolls 5,928 students who come for hands-on technical education that employers actually want. The school's engineering programs dominate the academic landscape, producing graduates who know how to solve real problems in the real world.

Students pay an average net price of $14,754, which represents solid value given the strong career outcomes. Graduates earn a median of $61,760 ten years after graduation, well above the national average for public universities. The typical graduate leaves with $21,977 in debt and monthly loan payments of $233. With a 98.1% employment rate, finding work after graduation isn't usually the problem.

Men outnumber women nearly two to one at 63.5%, reflecting the engineering focus that shapes campus culture. About 76% of students come from Wisconsin, creating a close-knit community feel in this small college town. The 20:1 student-faculty ratio means professors actually know their students' names. While the 61.5% six-year graduation rate lags behind top institutions, students who stick with the rigorous programs typically land solid careers in technical fields.

Academics & Faculty

UW-Platteville has earned its reputation as Wisconsin's top engineering college, drawing students who want hands-on technical training over theoretical coursework. The university's engineering programs emphasize practical problem-solving and real-world applications that prepare graduates for immediate employment. With a 20:1 student-faculty ratio, students get more individual attention than at larger research universities, though some may find themselves in crowded lecture halls. The school's full approach extends beyond engineering to business and liberal arts, but technical fields remain the clear academic focus. A 61.5% six-year graduation rate reflects the rigorous coursework, while the 98.1% employment rate shows employers value the practical skills graduates develop.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio
20:1
Full-Time Faculty
82.6%
Graduation Rate (4-year)
61.3%
Graduation Rate (6-year)
61.5%
Retention Rate
80.1%
Median Earnings (10 years)
$61,760
Carnegie Classification
Master's University (Large)

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
ProgramLevelMedian Earnings
Engineering, General. Master $87,604
Business Administration, Management and Operations. Master $77,087
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. Bachelor $71,015
Computer Engineering. Bachelor $67,995
Industrial Engineering. Bachelor $66,701
Mechanical Engineering. Bachelor $65,585
Computer and Information Sciences, General. Bachelor $62,508
Engineering Physics. Bachelor $61,218
Civil Engineering. Bachelor $60,028
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians. Bachelor $59,549

View all 61 programs →

Campus Life

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville sits in a rural mining town about 75 miles southwest of Madison, where winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing and snow blankets the campus from December through March. Housing capacity serves 2,978 students out of 5,928 total enrollment, meaning roughly half live on campus in a tight-knit community. The 20:1 student-faculty ratio creates smaller class sizes despite being a full university.

Weekend life revolves around Pioneer athletics, with 531 student-athletes competing across 12 Division III sports in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The engineering-focused culture means students often spend weekends in labs and workshops, reflecting the school's hands-on technical reputation. With 76% of students from Wisconsin, many head home on weekends or explore the rolling hills of southwest Wisconsin. The small-town setting means limited nightlife options, but the close campus community compensates with residence hall activities and outdoor recreation. Men outnumber women 64% to 36%, creating a distinctly male-dominated engineering school atmosphere.
Setting
Town-Distant
Housing Capacity
2,978 beds
Calendar System
Semester
Study Abroad
Available

Campus Safety (2023)

22 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
OffenseOn CampusResidentialNoncampusPublic Property
Rape 5 5 1 0
Dating Violence 2 2 0 0
Arson 1 1 0 0
Burglary 1 1 0 0
Domestic Violence 2 0 0 0
Stalking 1 0 0 0

Climate & Weather

January Avg
9°–26°F
July Avg
61°–82°F
Annual Precipitation
37.9"
Annual Snowfall
42.0"

Student Demographics

Men make up nearly two-thirds of the student body at Wisconsin-Platteville, reflecting the university's strong engineering focus. About three-quarters of students come from Wisconsin, showing the school's solid reputation for technical education throughout the state. The campus draws students seeking affordable, hands-on training in engineering and related fields. One in five students receives Pell Grants, indicating the university serves middle-class families looking for practical career preparation. The student body is predominantly white, typical for rural Wisconsin institutions, with students attracted to small-town college life and job-focused programs.
Men
63.5%
Women
36.5%
White
88.7%
Black
1.3%
Hispanic
4.9%
Asian
1.2%
In-State Students
76.2%
Pell Grant Recipients
21.0%

Location

Platteville sits in southwestern Wisconsin, about 75 miles southwest of Madison and 20 miles from the Illinois border. The town of roughly 12,000 residents becomes a true college town when UW-Platteville's 5,928 students arrive each fall. Rolling farmland and limestone bluffs define this corner of the Driftless Area, where glaciers never flattened the landscape. The university's campus spreads across the hillsides of this former lead mining boomtown. With 76% of students coming from Wisconsin, most are familiar with small-town Midwest life before they arrive. The rural setting provides a focused environment for the school's well-known engineering programs. Students considering colleges in Wisconsin may also compare University of Wisconsin-Platteville with similar schools in the region.
Address
Platteville, Wisconsin 53818-3099
Elton S. Karrmann Library
Elton S. Karrmann Library

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years)
$61,760
Median Earnings (5 years)
$63,516
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
$41,300
Loan Repayment Rate
77.7%
Monthly Loan Payment
$233/mo
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,977

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at University of Wisconsin-Platteville?

University of Wisconsin-Platteville accepts 85.43% of applicants with an average ACT score of 24. The school makes engineering and technical education accessible to students who show solid academic preparation rather than demanding top test scores.

How much does University of Wisconsin-Platteville cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $14,754 annually, with in-state tuition at $8,315. Low-income families earning under $30,000 pay just $8,666 on average, making this engineering-focused education remarkably affordable.

What is University of Wisconsin-Platteville known for academically?

The university built its reputation on hands-on engineering and technical programs that prepare students for immediate employment. With a 20:1 student-faculty ratio, students get practical experience in small classes focused on real-world applications.

What are the job prospects after graduating from University of Wisconsin-Platteville?

Graduates achieve a 98.1% employment rate with median earnings of $61,760 ten years after graduation. The school's strong ties to Wisconsin industry and focus on practical skills create excellent career outcomes for its engineering and technical graduates.

Where is University of Wisconsin-Platteville located and what is campus life like?

The campus sits in small-town Platteville with housing for 2,978 students out of 5,928 total enrollment. Men make up 63.51% of students, reflecting the university's engineering focus, while 531 athletes compete in 12 NCAA Division III sports.

How diverse is University of Wisconsin-Platteville's student body?

The student population is 88.68% white with 76.17% coming from Wisconsin, creating a fairly homogeneous community. This reflects both the rural location and the university's role as a regional institution serving primarily in-state students seeking technical education.