Following the lead of UW System’s “15 to Finish” initiative, UWM encourages freshman students to complete 30 credits by the end of their first full year in school (including summer and WinterIM). Research shows students who complete 30 credits in this timeframe are more likely to persist in their enrollment, earn higher GPAs, and graduate on time. Due to the UW System’s credit plateau, students who take 15-18 credits in the fall or spring pay the same tuition as those who pay 12.

The percentage of UWM students completing 30 credits in year one has steadily increased, from 33.1% in 2014 to 48.4% in 2017, but our goal is not 100%: For a wide range of reasons not all of our students can take that many credits.  But 60% is a good and achievable goal that would put us in line with peer institutions like Georgia State University.

Resources