About Milwaukee School of Engineering
Students at Milwaukee School of Engineering dive straight into hands-on technical projects from day one. This specialized engineering university enrolls 2,607 students in a large city setting that connects classroom theory to real-world industry problems. The school's intense focus on practical application has produced notable graduates like billionaire inventor Patrick Soon-Shiong and former Best Buy CEO John Dullaghan. With a 63% acceptance rate, MSOE selects students ready for rigorous technical training that employers desperately want.
The financial picture looks solid for engineering graduates. Students pay an average net price of $24,021 after aid, less than the $48,421 sticker price. Graduates earn a median of $89,070 ten years after graduation, making the typical debt load of $27,000 very manageable with monthly payments of $286. The school's 97.7% employment rate means almost every graduate lands a job quickly after completing their degree.
MSOE's student body reflects engineering's demographics with 72% men and 28% women among the 2,607 enrolled. The 12:1 student-faculty ratio ensures plenty of individual attention during lab work and project development. Students compete in 22 NCAA Division III sports as the Raiders, though most focus intensely on their technical studies during the semester system.
The financial picture looks solid for engineering graduates. Students pay an average net price of $24,021 after aid, less than the $48,421 sticker price. Graduates earn a median of $89,070 ten years after graduation, making the typical debt load of $27,000 very manageable with monthly payments of $286. The school's 97.7% employment rate means almost every graduate lands a job quickly after completing their degree.
MSOE's student body reflects engineering's demographics with 72% men and 28% women among the 2,607 enrolled. The 12:1 student-faculty ratio ensures plenty of individual attention during lab work and project development. Students compete in 22 NCAA Division III sports as the Raiders, though most focus intensely on their technical studies during the semester system.
Academics & Faculty
Milwaukee School of Engineering lives up to its name as a specialized engineering and technology university where hands-on learning drives everything. The school maintains a 12:1 student-faculty ratio, ensuring engineering students get direct access to professors in labs and project work. With a 71.3% four-year graduation rate, students complete rigorous technical programs on schedule despite the demanding coursework. MSOE is particularly known for its mechanical, electrical, and software engineering programs that emphasize practical application over theory. The curriculum focuses entirely on preparing students for immediate entry into technical careers. Students spend significant time in state-of-the-art labs and workshops rather than lecture halls, reflecting the school's commitment to applied engineering education.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 12:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 58.8%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 71.3%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 71.5%
- Retention Rate
- 83.2%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $89,070
- Carnegie Classification
- Master's University (Medium)
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $94,408 |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $74,200 |
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor | $72,857 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $68,316 |
| Architectural Engineering. | Bachelor | $67,420 |
| Industrial Engineering. | Bachelor | $66,653 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $66,062 |
| Civil Engineering. | Master | $64,493 |
| Construction Management. | Bachelor | $63,005 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $60,030 |
Campus Life
Milwaukee's Riverwest neighborhood hosts this compact engineering campus just minutes from downtown. With housing capacity for 1,431 students and total enrollment of 2,607, roughly half the student body lives on campus. You'll need a serious winter coat for Wisconsin's brutal cold, but summers bring festival season to Milwaukee's lakefront.
The 72% male student body creates a tight-knit engineering community where classmates become study partners and lifelong friends. Students gather at campus events or head downtown for Brewers games and Milwaukee's famous food scene. The 12:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name and career goals. Weekend activities often revolve around the 22 varsity sports teams, though as Division III, athletics stay low-key.
MSOE's hands-on culture dominates daily life through lab work and cooperative education programs. The 97.7% employment rate reflects the school's industry connections throughout the Midwest. Students here are serious about their studies, knowing their $89,070 median earnings at 10 years out justify the intense academic focus.
The 72% male student body creates a tight-knit engineering community where classmates become study partners and lifelong friends. Students gather at campus events or head downtown for Brewers games and Milwaukee's famous food scene. The 12:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name and career goals. Weekend activities often revolve around the 22 varsity sports teams, though as Division III, athletics stay low-key.
MSOE's hands-on culture dominates daily life through lab work and cooperative education programs. The 97.7% employment rate reflects the school's industry connections throughout the Midwest. Students here are serious about their studies, knowing their $89,070 median earnings at 10 years out justify the intense academic focus.
- Setting
- City-Large
- Housing Capacity
- 1,431 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
- Founded
- 1903
Campus Safety (2023)
49 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 6 | 0 | 0 | 29 |
| Aggravated Assault | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Robbery | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Rape | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 14°–30°F
- July Avg
- 63°–84°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 39.4"
- Annual Snowfall
- 52.3"
Student Demographics
MSOE draws primarily local students, with 60% coming from Wisconsin, reflecting the school's strong reputation among Midwest families seeking technical careers. The student body skews heavily male at 72%, typical for engineering-focused institutions. About one in four students receives Pell Grants, showing the school attracts middle-class families who see engineering as a path to economic mobility. The demographics mirror the school's mission: training practical engineers who often stay in the region to work at manufacturing companies and tech firms that value MSOE's hands-on approach.
- Men
- 72.2%
- Women
- 27.8%
- White
- 69.1%
- Black
- 2.5%
- Hispanic
- 10.7%
- Asian
- 5.1%
- In-State Students
- 59.5%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 22.7%
Location
Milwaukee School of Engineering sits in Wisconsin's largest city, home to 590,000 residents. The campus occupies downtown Milwaukee, putting students within walking distance of internships at major corporations and the city's active riverfront district. Milwaukee blends Midwest industrial heritage with a growing tech scene that actively recruits MSOE graduates. The school draws 59.51% of its students from Wisconsin, while others come for the city's affordable cost of living compared to coastal engineering centers. Lake Michigan provides year-round recreation just blocks from campus. Students considering colleges in Wisconsin may also compare Milwaukee School of Engineering with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202-3109
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $89,070
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $88,136
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $58,800
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 83.3%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $286/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $27,000
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Milwaukee School of Engineering?
Milwaukee School of Engineering accepts 63.47% of applicants, making it moderately selective for a specialized engineering school. The school attracts students who are serious about hands-on technical education and career-focused learning.
How much does Milwaukee School of Engineering cost after financial aid?
The average net price is $24,021 after aid, despite a sticker price of $48,421 for tuition. Students typically graduate with $27,000 in debt and monthly loan payments of $286, which is manageable given the strong earning potential in engineering fields.
What is the student-faculty ratio at Milwaukee School of Engineering?
The student-faculty ratio is 12:1 among the 2,607 enrolled students. This small class environment supports the school's hands-on approach to engineering education, where students work directly with faculty on real-world projects and laboratory experiences.
What are the job prospects after graduating from Milwaukee School of Engineering?
Graduates have a 97.7% employment rate and earn a median salary of $89,070 ten years after graduation. The school's focus on practical engineering skills and industry connections leads to exceptionally strong career outcomes in technical fields.
Where do students live at Milwaukee School of Engineering?
Housing capacity is 1,431 students, with room and board costing $12,562 annually. The urban Milwaukee campus provides engineering students with access to the city's manufacturing and technology companies for internships and job opportunities.
Is Milwaukee School of Engineering primarily a male school?
Men make up 72.19% of the student body while women represent 27.81%. This gender distribution reflects the broader engineering field, though the school actively works to attract more women to technical careers through its specialized programs.
