Cheapest Engineering Colleges in Wisconsin

Wisconsin engineering students can save significantly by choosing public universities, with UW-Platteville offering the lowest net cost at $14,754 compared to Marquette's $29,237. The state's manufacturing backbone, led by companies like GE Healthcare and Epic Systems, creates strong demand for engineering graduates. Public options dominate the affordable end, with UW-Milwaukee at $16,177, while private schools range from $20,780 to $29,237.

Programs

$14,754 – $29,237

Net Price Range

62.9%

Avg. Graduation Rate

7 Engineering, General Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Wisconsin-Platteville Platteville, Wisconsin	$14,754	$8,315	61.5%	85.4%
2	University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Milwaukee, Wisconsin	$16,177	$10,020	51.2%	86.3%
3	Northland College Ashland, Wisconsin	$20,780	$42,491	43.3%	68.4%
4	Beloit College Beloit, Wisconsin	$21,924	$58,554	67.2%	65.9%
5	Viterbo University La Crosse, Wisconsin	$22,633	$32,350	65.2%	72.4%
6	Milwaukee School of Engineering Milwaukee, Wisconsin	$24,021	$48,421	71.5%	63.5%
7	Marquette University Milwaukee, Wisconsin	$29,237	$48,700	80.1%	87.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the dramatic cost difference between Wisconsin's cheapest and most expensive engineering programs?

The gap reflects the public versus private divide, with UW-Platteville costing $14,754 compared to Marquette's $29,237. Public universities benefit from state funding that keeps costs lower for all students. Private schools like Marquette offer higher graduation rates at 80.10% but charge nearly double the net price.

How do graduation rates vary among Wisconsin's most affordable engineering programs?

Graduation rates span from 43.30% at Northland College to 80.10% at Marquette University. The Milwaukee School of Engineering achieves a 71.50% graduation rate despite being more selective with 63.47% acceptance. UW-Platteville maintains a solid 61.50% graduation rate while accepting 85.43% of applicants.

Does Wisconsin's job market support engineering graduates from these programs?

Wisconsin's economy relies heavily on manufacturing and technology, with major employers like GE Healthcare, Epic Systems, and Kimberly-Clark seeking engineering talent. The state's industrial base provides opportunities across mechanical, electrical, and software engineering disciplines. Milwaukee particularly benefits from having multiple engineering schools feeding the local job market.

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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.