I thought those were the same thing 
Caltech and [blank] Technical Institute (trade schools). If we are broadening this beyond the CC community …
IU (Indiana) vs IUP (in PA).
Willamette, dammit.
I sometimes see the University of Wisconsin referred to as UWM.
That’s UW-Milwaukee.
To people who are students, alumni or are just aware of Badger-related customs, the University of Wisconsin is shortened to UW, UW-Madison, or even just Madison. (if two Wisconsinites are talking about someone, you might overhear, for instance, “Oh, Joe Smith? He goes to Madison.” Both would know that UW-Madison is implied.)
Then there are the pricey private colleges that are often assumed to be state schools.
Gonzaga is pronounced Gone-zag-a. Like zig zag. Often mispronounced Gone-zog-a.
Wow!! Didn’t know that! Thanks! Is the emphasis on the ZAG?
Many years ago my brother went to the university of Hartford (ct). When people asked him where he went to school- he’d answer ‘hartford’, which is what many kids there called it. Couldn’t figure out why people often seemed impressed until he realized that with his slight Boston accent it sounded like another, better known college in the Boston area… 
UMass Amherst and Amherst…
UMass Dartmouth and Dartmouth…
And too many Loyolas
Sometimes, you’ll see posters asking questions about UW, without specifying whether they mean Washington, Wisconsin, or Wyoming.
and too many Holy Cross, Trinity, Notre Dame, St. John’s
Yes, USC can mean USoCal, USoCarolina or other schools. Folks many not clarify. SCU can mean Santa Clara U, probably So Carolina U and other schools as well.
There is a Trinity in CT and another elsewhere.
Washington University at St. Louis, University of Washington, and George Washington University
Yes, the emphasis is on the ZAG in Gonzaga.
Sad to say that I didn’t know that the University of Michigan and Michigan State University were two different schools; I just thought those were two ways to identify the same school. I thought the U-M/MSU football game was intramural. And I was a freshman at U-M at the time (born and raised in Michigan).
“Sometimes, you’ll see posters asking questions about UW, without specifying whether they mean Washington, Wisconsin, or Wyoming.”
That’s why I always type U-Dub.
And too many [state name] Wesleyans – Ohio Wesleyan, Illinois Wesleyan, Virginia Wesleyan, Indiana Wesleyan …
Wellesley
Wesleyan
Dominican U
Dominican U of California
Mount Saint Mary (various)
UofC