Public
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Kenosha, Wisconsin
72.6% Acceptance Rate
University of Wisconsin-Parkside — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
72.6%Acceptance Rate
3.31Avg GPA
1090Avg SAT
22Avg ACT
$16,768Annual Cost
$51,129Grad Salary
34.2%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
72.6%
Avg GPA
3.31
Avg SAT
1090
Avg ACT
22
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1050–1120
ACT Middle 50%
18–25
Avg Net Price
$10,044
Need-Based Aid
34.2% receive Pell
University of Wisconsin-Parkside, established in 1968, is Wisconsin's most diverse public university with strengths in business and environmental studies. The 700-acre campus includes the Rita Tallent Picken Regional Center. Parkside's 'First-Year Experience' ensures student success.
University of Wisconsin-Parkside Acceptance Rate
University of Wisconsin-Parkside is moderately selective — 72.6% of applicants are admitted — with room for a well-rounded, if imperfect, transcript.
What University of Wisconsin-Parkside Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 72.6% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.31 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.11 – 3.30
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.86
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
University of Wisconsin-Parkside Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
University of Wisconsin-Parkside follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
University of Wisconsin-Parkside reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
💡 The scholarship deadline (February 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
University of Wisconsin-Parkside GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at University of Wisconsin-Parkside is 3.31. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.01–3.31 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently — for an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.51–3.71.University of Wisconsin-Parkside GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.31 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.11 – 3.30
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.91 – 3.10
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.90
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Direct Admit Wisconsin can secure a spot before senior year, bypassing the standard application.
- Application fee is currently $0 for first-year applicants.
- Test-optional; ACT/SAT requirement for under-21 applicants has been suspended in some recent cycles - confirm current status.
- No essay or recommendation letter strictly required, though comprehensive review considers a personal statement if submitted.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at University of Wisconsin-Parkside
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on University of Wisconsin-Parkside's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
University of Wisconsin-Parkside Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if University of Wisconsin-Parkside is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into University of Wisconsin-Parkside Without SAT or ACT?
University of Wisconsin-Parkside considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt — most applicants test 2–3 times.
University of Wisconsin-Parkside Average SAT Score: 1090
The average SAT score of admitted students at University of Wisconsin-Parkside is 1090 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1090 — Accessible
This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a genuine advantage.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1120 SAT or 25 ACT) to stand out. Below average? University of Wisconsin-Parkside allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1050, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at University of Wisconsin-Parkside. Retaking multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 1090 | 1050 | 1120 |
Below 1050, you're behind most admitted students; at 1120 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1100
Can I get into University of Wisconsin-Parkside with a 1100 SAT?
A 1100 SAT puts you ahead of most of University of Wisconsin-Parkside's admitted class — but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
University of Wisconsin-Parkside ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at University of Wisconsin-Parkside is 22.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 22 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average ACT score.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 20 | 16 | 24 |
| ACT English | 21 | 17 | 24 |
| ACT Composite | 22 | 18 | 25 |
Can I get into University of Wisconsin-Parkside with a 25 ACT?
A 25 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of University of Wisconsin-Parkside's admitted students — a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections — English, Math, Reading, and Science — each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section (Science, especially, at STEM-focused schools) stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at University of Wisconsin-Parkside.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for University of Wisconsin-Parkside
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
University of Wisconsin-Parkside takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Ask your counselor about Direct Admit Wisconsin
If you're a Wisconsin junior, your school may participate in this program, which secures your UW-Parkside spot before senior year even starts - no traditional application needed.
There's no fee excuse to delay
The application fee is now $0 for first-year applicants. Submit early to get into the rolling review queue rather than waiting.
Use the optional personal statement to add context
No essay is strictly required, but comprehensive review considers one if you submit it. Use that space to explain anything grades alone don't show.
Confirm your test-score status directly
If you're under 21 as of September 1 of your enrollment year, ACT/SAT requirements have shifted in and out of suspension recently. Don't assume test-optional applies to you - check with admissions.
Expert Insight:
Students treat "nearly open admission" as no review at all and submit thin, rushed applications. UW-Parkside explicitly runs a comprehensive review weighing academic and nonacademic factors, so a bare-minimum file can still get flagged even here.
University of Wisconsin-Parkside Profile
Full Name
University of Wisconsin-Parkside
City
Kenosha
State
Wisconsin
ZIP Code
53144
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a University of Wisconsin-Parkside Degree Worth It?
Whether University of Wisconsin-Parkside is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals — here's the data to weigh it against.
The average household income among admitted students is $64,300, with a graduate unemployment rate of 4.03%.
How much does a degree from University of Wisconsin-Parkside Cost?
The sticker price is $16,768/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is closer to $10,044.
34.2% of students receive a Pell Grant and 37.5% take federal loans at University of Wisconsin-Parkside — file your FAFSA early and list University of Wisconsin-Parkside as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a University of Wisconsin-Parkside Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $51,129 — about 26% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than University of Wisconsin-Parkside. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| Marion Military Institute | Marion, AL | 1043 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 1049 | 21 |
| Arkansas Tech University | Russellville, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Magnolia, AR | 1050 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas-Fort Smith | Fort Smith, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO | 1070 | 23 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | 1077 | 22 |
| Western Connecticut State University | Danbury, CT | 1044 | 24 |
| Baptist University of Florida | Graceville, FL | 1045 | 20 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as University of Wisconsin-Parkside. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than University of Wisconsin-Parkside. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Western Colorado University | Gunnison, CO | 1130 | 25 |
Degree Programs at University of Wisconsin-Parkside
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About University of Wisconsin-Parkside Admissions
Median graduate earnings at University of Wisconsin-Parkside run about $51,129 a year.
At about $16,768 a year, University of Wisconsin-Parkside is on the more affordable end.
About 34.2% receive a Pell Grant at University of Wisconsin-Parkside — moderate odds, largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 72.6%, University of Wisconsin-Parkside's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at University of Wisconsin-Parkside average a 3.31 GPA.
University of Wisconsin-Parkside doesn't publish a hard GPA floor — but landing at or above 3.01 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 2.91, University of Wisconsin-Parkside becomes a harder reach — though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at University of Wisconsin-Parkside — aim above 1090, ideally within the 1050–1120 range admitted students typically fall in.
University of Wisconsin-Parkside follows Rolling Admissions — applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
The application fee is 50. Fee waivers may be available — check with admissions.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is February 1, 2026. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes — transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most — along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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