Milwaukee School of Engineering
Milwaukee School of Engineering — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Milwaukee School of Engineering at a Glance
The Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) is a private university in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1903, the university has a primary focus on undergraduate engineering education with additional programs in business, mathematics, and nursing. Its 22-acre (8.9 ha) campus is in the East Town neighborhood of downtown Milwaukee.
1903
123 years old
$101M
$100.5 million (2025)
2,729
2,575 undergrad · 154 grad
138
22 acres
Identity
Is Milwaukee School of Engineering Worth It?
Milwaukee School of Engineering delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $22,453/year, it's priced 10% above average, while graduates go on to earn $89,070 — 66% above the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 1 year — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 69% graduation rate means roughly 31% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How Milwaukee School of Engineering compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #3 of 18 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Illinois Institute of Technology | 83 | $18,425 | $82,592 |
| #2 | Wofford College | 76 | $18,732 | $68,964 |
| #3 | Milwaukee School of Engineering | 69 | $22,453 | $89,070 |
| #4 | DePauw University | 61 | $22,264 | $70,527 |
| #5 | Drake University | 47 | $29,127 | $71,901 |
| #6 | St Lawrence University | 47 | $28,651 | $67,258 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Milwaukee School of Engineering's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Milwaukee School of Engineering
The highest-earning program at Milwaukee School of Engineering is Computer Engineering at $69,500/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Chemical Engineering at $40,300/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer Engineering graduate from Milwaukee School of Engineering earns $69,500, while a Chemical Engineering graduate earns $40,300. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Computer Engineering graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Chemical Engineering.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $22,453/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Engineering | $69,500 | $69,500 | $27,000 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $65,100 | $65,100 | $27,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $63,100 | $63,100 | $27,000 |
| Industrial Engineering | $63,100 | $63,100 | $27,333 |
| Architectural Engineering | $62,300 | $62,300 | $31,000 |
| Construction Management | $59,900 | $59,900 | $31,000 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $59,200 | $59,200 | $26,988 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $56,700 | $56,700 | $27,000 |
| Chemical Engineering | $40,300 | $40,300 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in WI
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Milwaukee, WI
- Student Body
- 2,654 students
- Admission Rate
- 59%
- Graduation Rate
- 69%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $22,453
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $89,070
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000