Public
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Superior, Wisconsin
93.6% Acceptance Rate
University of Wisconsin-Superior — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
93.6%Acceptance Rate
3.32Avg GPA
1050Avg SAT
21Avg ACT
$18,415Annual Cost
$49,606Grad Salary
29.6%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
93.6%
Avg GPA
3.32
Avg SAT
1050
Avg ACT
21
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1010–1080
ACT Middle 50%
18–24
Avg Net Price
$13,405
Need-Based Aid
29.6% receive Pell
University of Wisconsin-Superior is a public, regional university that emphasizes personalized learning, community engagement, and environmental stewardship in the Lake Superior region. Admissions are based on a review of academic achievement and high school curriculum rigor. The university looks for students who are ready to engage in hands-on learning and contribute to its vibrant, collaborative academic environment.
Applicants should highlight their consistency in academic performance and their interest in fields related to science, education, or community development. Demonstrating a proactive approach to learning through school-based organizations, research, or community service will strengthen an application. The university values students who are not only academically prepared but also eager to participate in its small-college-style, supportive academic community, where faculty-student mentorship is a defining characteristic.
University of Wisconsin-Superior Acceptance Rate
Admission at University of Wisconsin-Superior is inclusive by design. 93.6% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 93.6% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.32 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.12 – 3.31
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.87
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
University of Wisconsin-Superior Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
University of Wisconsin-Superior 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-Superior 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 (Priority: 2026/02/01) 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-Superior GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at University of Wisconsin-Superior is 3.32. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.02–3.32 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.52–3.72.University of Wisconsin-Superior GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Admission here leans heavily on holistic review.
Recommended Strategy: Leans on context, such as leadership, personal circumstances, or a standout talent.
This range is a rough map. Where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application.:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.32 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.12 – 3.31
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.92 – 3.11
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.91
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- UW-Superior participates in Direct Admit Wisconsin, which proactively admits qualifying juniors at participating high schools without a traditional application.
- The Wisconsin Guarantee (effective fall 2025) guarantees admission for top-10% Wisconsin students, high-scoring homeschoolers, and National Merit finalists - but still requires a completed application.
- UW-Superior charges no undergraduate application fee and is test-optional through Summer 2027 admission across the UW System.
- Distinctive academic offerings include Transportation & Logistics Management and strong Environmental Science programs, alongside the university's teacher-education origins.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself. A 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average. The trajectory tells its own story.
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-Superior
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from University of Wisconsin-Superior's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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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-Superior Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at University of Wisconsin-Superior. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into University of Wisconsin-Superior Without SAT or ACT?
University of Wisconsin-Superior considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
University of Wisconsin-Superior Average SAT Score: 1050
Admitted students at University of Wisconsin-Superior average a 1050 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1050 — Accessible
A 1050 average means even a modest SAT score can strengthen your application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1080 SAT or 24 ACT) to stand out. Below average? University of Wisconsin-Superior allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1010? A retake is worth it at University of Wisconsin-Superior. Two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 1050 | 1010 | 1080 |
A score under 1010 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1080+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1050
Can I get into University of Wisconsin-Superior with a 1100 SAT?
At 1100, your SAT is squarely in University of Wisconsin-Superior's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file. GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
University of Wisconsin-Superior ACT Requirements
University of Wisconsin-Superior's admitted students average an ACT of 21.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 21 — Less Competitive
An average of 21 leaves room above it for a competitive application.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 21 | 17 | 24 |
| ACT English | 19 | 15 | 23 |
| ACT Composite | 21 | 18 | 24 |
Can I get into University of Wisconsin-Superior with a 24 ACT?
At 24, you're in the top quarter of University of Wisconsin-Superior's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections, English, Math, Reading, and Science, are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, University of Wisconsin-Superior weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for University of Wisconsin-Superior
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
University of Wisconsin-Superior provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about using available resources well and planning your longer-term academic or career path.
Check whether your high school participates in Direct Admit Wisconsin before you apply the traditional way
UW-Superior participates in Direct Admit Wisconsin, which proactively offers admission to qualifying juniors at participating Wisconsin high schools using existing academic records - no traditional application required. Ask your counselor whether your school participates; if it does, submitting the Direct Admit form (deadline May 1, ideally by November) can secure admission before you'd even normally start applying senior year.
If you're a top-10% Wisconsin student, know you may already be guaranteed admission
Starting with the fall 2025 semester, UW-Superior guarantees admission under "The Wisconsin Guarantee" to Wisconsin high school students in the top 10% of their class at the end of 11th grade, homeschooled Wisconsin residents scoring in the ACT's national 90th percentile, and National Merit Scholarship finalists. A completed application is still required to activate this guarantee - it isn't automatic - so don't assume qualifying means you can skip submitting the standard application.
Choose whether to submit test scores based on your specific number, not a blanket strategy
UW System campuses let you decide whether ACT/SAT scores are included in your review, and this flexibility runs through Summer 2027 admission. Since UW-Superior's admitted-student test range skews toward the lower-middle of the national distribution (many report ACT composites around 18?24), a strong GPA with weaker test scores benefits from omitting scores, while an unusually strong test score can still help differentiate an application even though it's not required.
Use Early College Credit and dual admission if you're still in high school
UW-Superior's Early College Credit Program (ECCP) lets Wisconsin high schoolers earn transcripted post-secondary credit while still enrolled in high school, with costs shared across the college, school district, state, and sometimes the family - a materially cheaper way to bank college credit than paying full dual-enrollment tuition elsewhere. Confirm with your high school counselor that your proposed coursework has been pre-approved before registering, since this approval step is required before ECCP enrollment.
Expert Insight:
Because UW-Superior has a high acceptance rate and multiple guaranteed-admission pathways, applicants sometimes assume any submission method works interchangeably - but Direct Admit, the Wisconsin Guarantee, and the traditional UW System application each have different eligibility windows and required actions. A student who qualifies for the Wisconsin Guarantee but never actually completes an application, assuming the guarantee alone is sufficient, can miss enrollment entirely.
University of Wisconsin-Superior Profile
Full Name
University of Wisconsin-Superior
City
Superior
State
Wisconsin
ZIP Code
54880-4500
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a University of Wisconsin-Superior Degree Worth It?
Whether University of Wisconsin-Superior 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.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $53,800, and graduates see a 3.98% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from University of Wisconsin-Superior Cost?
Listed tuition runs $18,415/year at University of Wisconsin-Superior. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land closer to $13,405.
At University of Wisconsin-Superior, 29.6% receive a Pell Grant and 46% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming University of Wisconsin-Superior on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a University of Wisconsin-Superior Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, University of Wisconsin-Superior graduates report a median income of $49,606, about 22% 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-Superior. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faulkner University | Montgomery, AL | 1016 | 20 |
| University of West Alabama | Livingston, AL | 1015 | 20 |
| Central Baptist College | Conway, AR | 1022 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton | Morrilton, AR | 1020 | 20 |
| Williams Baptist University | Walnut Ridge, AR | 1018 | 19 |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver | Denver, CO | 1014 | 20 |
| Colorado State University Pueblo | Pueblo, CO | 1005 | 22 |
| Trinity Baptist College | Jacksonville, FL | 1007 | 20 |
| College of Coastal Georgia | Brunswick, GA | 1001 | 18 |
| Thomas University | Thomasville, GA | 1037 | 21 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as University of Wisconsin-Superior. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| 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 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than University of Wisconsin-Superior. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
Degree Programs at University of Wisconsin-Superior
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About University of Wisconsin-Superior Admissions
University of Wisconsin-Superior graduates earn a lower median salary of $49,606/year, especially outside technical fields.
Tuition at University of Wisconsin-Superior is relatively affordable, around $18,415/year.
29.6% of University of Wisconsin-Superior students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income, and filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
University of Wisconsin-Superior's acceptance rate is 93.6%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted University of Wisconsin-Superior students is 3.32, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.02 puts you in the standard applicant pool at University of Wisconsin-Superior. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 2.92 or below makes admission tougher at University of Wisconsin-Superior, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
University of Wisconsin-Superior weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1050, and within the 1010–1080 range, keeps you competitive.
University of Wisconsin-Superior follows Rolling Admissions. Applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
University of Wisconsin-Superior charges an application fee of 50; ask admissions about waiver eligibility if cost is a barrier.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before Priority: 2026/02/01. That's University of Wisconsin-Superior's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
Explore Other Options
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