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Best Value Mechanical Engineering Colleges in Wisconsin

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

Wisconsin's mechanical engineering programs show a striking cost advantage, with UW-Green Bay charging just $12,878 compared to Marquette's $29,237. Yet earnings remain remarkably consistent across institutions, ranging only from $65,585 to $71,633. This stability reflects Wisconsin's strong manufacturing sector, where companies like GE Healthcare and Epic Systems create steady demand for mechanical engineers. UW-Madison stands out with an 89.30% graduation rate while maintaining reasonable costs at $16,928.
7
Programs
$12,878 – $29,237
Net Price Range
$67,045
Avg. Program Earnings
65.6%
Avg. Graduation Rate

7 Mechanical Engineering Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $14,754 $65,585 $8,315 61.5% 85.4%
2 $16,928 $71,633 $11,205 89.3% 49.1%
3 $16,177 $66,247 $10,020 51.2% 86.3%
4 $24,021 $66,062 $48,421 71.5% 63.5%
5 $29,237 $65,698 $48,700 80.1% 87.2%
6 $12,878 $8,342 53.1% 89.6%
7 $17,365 $10,142 52.5% 86.3%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the narrow earnings range despite varying program costs?

Wisconsin's mechanical engineering graduates earn between $65,585 and $71,633, a spread of just $6,048. This consistency stems from the state's established manufacturing and healthcare sectors, where employers value skills over school prestige when setting starting salaries.

How does debt load vary between public and private programs?

Public university graduates typically carry $19,450 to $24,992 in debt, while private institutions like Milwaukee School of Engineering and Marquette result in $26,500 to $27,000. The difference is smaller than expected, suggesting private schools offer substantial financial aid packages.

Does graduation rate correlate with program cost in Wisconsin?

Not necessarily. UW-Madison achieves an 89.30% graduation rate at $16,928, while more expensive Marquette reaches 80.10% at $29,237. UW-Platteville offers the best graduation rate per dollar, achieving 61.50% completion for just $14,754.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.