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University of Wisconsin-Platteville

Platteville, WI

publicgraduate

Quick Facts

“A Smart Investment”

1866
Founded
Public university
Type
5,928
Total Students
6,028
Undergrad
458
Graduate
$8K
Tuition (In-State)
$17K
Tuition (Out-State)
$15K
Avg Net Price
87%
Acceptance Rate
62%
Graduation Rate
6-year
80%
Retention Rate
Master's Colleges & Universities
Classification

Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education

About University of Wisconsin-Platteville

UW-Platteville: Pioneering Wisconsin education, from teacher prep to cutting-edge engineering.

Welcome to the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, an institution proudly rooted in a legacy of innovation and practical education. Founded in 1866 as Wisconsin's first teacher preparation school, UW-Platteville has consistently evolved to meet the demands of a changing world, earning its motto, "A Smart Investment." Today, it stands as a beacon for students seeking hands-on learning and impactful careers in a wide array of fields.

UW-Platteville's rich history is built upon the merger of two formidable institutions: the Platteville Normal School and the Wisconsin Institute of Technology, originally a pioneering mining trade school. This unique foundation fostered a commitment to both pedagogical excellence and rigorous technical training. Over the decades, the university expanded significantly, establishing robust colleges in business and transforming its mining college into a powerhouse of electrical, mechanical, and electronic engineering. This spirit of growth even saw the campus host the legendary Chicago Bears for their pre-season training camps for over 15 years, a testament to its comprehensive facilities and community engagement.

For prospective students, UW-Platteville offers an immersive and forward-thinking academic experience. The engineering college, for instance, boasts one of the Upper Midwest's largest "maker spaces," fostering an environment where innovation thrives and entrepreneurial ideas take shape. Science students benefit from newly renovated facilities like Boebel Hall, complete with specialized cadaver, microbiology, and molecular labs. Beyond the classroom, students actively contribute to campus sustainability, operating a hydroponics lab that supplies fresh produce to dining services and benefiting from a significant solar array, all part of the university's ambitious pledge to become a zero-waste campus by 2035. With state-of-the-art buildings like Sesquicentennial Hall dedicated to hands-on learning, UW-Platteville is truly shaping the next generation of leaders and innovators.

Key Highlights

  • ✦Founded in 1866 as Wisconsin's first teacher preparation school.
  • ✦Home to one of the Upper Midwest's largest "maker spaces" within its cutting-edge engineering facilities.
  • ✦Features a student-operated hydroponics lab, supplying over 100 pounds of fresh lettuce weekly to campus dining.
  • ✦Installed a 2.4-megawatt solar array, projected to offset 17% of campus energy use and save $217,000 annually.
  • ✦Pledged to achieve zero-waste campus status by 2035.
  • ✦Benefits from significant investments in infrastructure, including the $55 million Sesquicentennial Hall and $23.7 million renovated Boebel Hall.
  • ✦Served as the pre-season training camp for the NFL's Chicago Bears for 16 years (1984-2000).

Timeline

1866
Founded as Platteville Normal School, Wisconsin's first teacher preparation school
1907
Wisconsin Mining Trade School (forerunner of Wisconsin Institute of Technology) established
1959
Platteville State College and Wisconsin Institute of Technology merged
1966
Granted university status as Wisconsin State University–Platteville
1971
Renamed University of Wisconsin-Platteville after system merger
1984
Chicago Bears began holding pre-season training camps at UW-Platteville
2019
Opened 1,500 square-foot student-operated hydroponics laboratory
2021
Installed a 2.4-megawatt solar array and pledged to become a zero-waste campus by 2035
2022
Opened Sesquicentennial Hall, a $55 million, 200,000 square-foot engineering building
🏛️
160 Years
of Excellence

Schools & Colleges

2 notable schools within University of Wisconsin-Platteville

💼

Business College

Expanded academic program in the late 1960s, offering comprehensive business education.

⚙️

Engineering College

Evolved from the mining college, offering degrees in electrical, mechanical, and electronic engineering, known for innovation.

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