Study in Milwaukee, The United States

About Milwaukee

Milwaukee lies on the western shore of Lake Michigan, about 90 miles (144 km) north of Chicago. According to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM), it is the largest city in Wisconsin, with a regional population of 1.5 million, and the state's centre of business, industry and culture. Its nickname is the City of Festivals: the biggest is Summerfest, a multi-day music festival on the lakefront.

For an international student, Milwaukee offers a full-size American city with lower living costs than the coasts. It suits students who want a large public research university or a smaller private one, and those who come to improve their English first.

Studying in Milwaukee

Our directory lists three schools in Milwaukee: a university, a university English language programme and a high school. Marquette University is a private Catholic, Jesuit university founded in 1881, with its campus in the centre of the city. It has more than 8,000 undergraduates and more than 3,700 graduate and professional students in 11 colleges and schools. The U.S. Department of Education's College Navigator lists a student-to-faculty ratio of 14 to 1.

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, founded in 1956, is a public university with 23,104 students and 202 bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes. It has Wisconsin's only accredited school of architecture and a School of Freshwater Sciences, which the university describes as the only one of its kind in the country. More than 1,000 international students from over 80 countries study there. Its English Language Academy runs credit-bearing English for Academic Purposes courses for students in UWM degree programmes, and a two-week, non-credit Summer Language and Culture PLUS programme for international participants, with a focus on STEM, business, digital design and art, or U.S. culture.

For secondary school, Divine Savior Holy Angels High School (DSHA) is a Catholic, college-preparatory high school for young women, with 647 students and a 12:1 student-teacher ratio. Teaching at all these schools is in English.

Degree students need an F student visa. Once admitted, they receive a Form I-20 from the school's international student office and apply at a U.S. embassy or consulate. According to EducationUSA, the academic year usually runs from September to May, and international students may work on campus for up to 20 hours a week in their first year.

Cost of living for students

UWM estimates the cost of the 2026-27 academic year for international undergraduates at $41,663: $22,247 in tuition for two semesters, $2,158 in fees, $15,000 in living expenses for 12 months and $2,258 for the compulsory health insurance. For graduate students the estimate is $44,440. The university notes that Milwaukee has a low cost of living compared with coastal U.S. cities, and it offers merit scholarships of up to $6,000 a year to newly admitted international undergraduates.

At Marquette, College Navigator gives $51,170 in tuition and fees and $16,490 for food and housing on campus in 2024-25.

On the buses of the Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS), an adult ride costs $2.75. With fare capping, nobody pays more than $8.25 a day, $33 a week or $99 a month when paying with the same card or app. Students at participating colleges can get a U-PASS with unlimited rides during the semester; one UWM student mentions that students ride the bus for free.

Getting around and daily life

UWM's campus is on the residential Upper East Side, a few minutes from Lake Michigan; Marquette's campus is close to downtown. Students get around by bus, on foot or with the Bublr bike share. The Amtrak Hiawatha train links downtown Milwaukee and General Mitchell International Airport with Chicago Union Station in 1 hour 29 minutes, several times a day.

Winters are cold and summers warm. At Milwaukee Mitchell airport, the 1991-2020 normals of NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information give an average temperature of 24.0 °F (about −4 °C) in January and 73.3 °F (about 23 °C) in July, when average daily highs reach 81.9 °F (about 28 °C).

Frequently asked questions

Which universities are in Milwaukee?

Our directory lists Marquette University, a private Catholic, Jesuit university founded in 1881, and the English Language Academy of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, a public university with 23,104 students.

How much does a year in Milwaukee cost for an international student?

UWM estimates $41,663 for the 2026-27 academic year for an international undergraduate, including $15,000 in living expenses and $2,258 for health insurance.

Can I learn English in Milwaukee?

Yes. UWM's English Language Academy offers academic English courses for degree students and a two-week summer programme for international participants.

Is Milwaukee far from Chicago?

No. The Amtrak Hiawatha train takes 1 hour 29 minutes between Milwaukee and Chicago Union Station.