At $24,021/yr net price, Milwaukee School of Engineering graduates earn $89,070/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $55,070/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $24,021 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $96,084 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $89,070/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$55,070/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 1.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 71.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $27,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $14,869/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $15,403/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $17,233/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $22,123/yr |
| $110,001+ | $31,207/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $94,408 | |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $74,200 | |
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor | $72,857 | $27,000 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $68,316 | $27,000 |
| Architectural Engineering. | Bachelor | $67,420 | |
| Industrial Engineering. | Bachelor | $66,653 | $27,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $66,062 | $27,000 |
| Civil Engineering. | Master | $64,493 | |
| Construction Management. | Bachelor | $63,005 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $60,030 | $25,000 |
The Risk Factor
71.5% of students at Milwaukee School of Engineering graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 29% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Milwaukee School of Engineering delivers a strong financial return. You pay $24,021 a year net and come out to a median of $89,070 a decade later, with median debt of $27,000 that a single year of that salary more than covers. For an engineering-focused private school in a Midwest manufacturing hub, those numbers hold up.
The payoff here is narrow and clear: engineering. Mechanical engineering technologies, computer engineering, electrical engineering, architectural engineering, and industrial engineering all land bachelor's graduates in the high $60,000s to mid $70,000s early on. Milwaukee and the broader Wisconsin-Illinois corridor run on manufacturing, energy, and industrial firms, so these degrees feed directly into local hiring. If you want mechanical or computer engineering, this is a solid fit.
The risk is that this school is engineering or nothing. There is no listed data for business, liberal arts, or other paths, so if you enroll unsure of your major and drift away from engineering, the value proposition weakens fast. The 71.5% graduation rate also means roughly three in ten don't finish, and leaving with debt and no degree is the worst outcome here. The 83% retention rate suggests most who start do stay.
Net price scales hard with income. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $15,000 a year, which against these engineering salaries is a strong deal. Above $110,000, you pay $31,207 a year, more than double the lowest tier, and the math still works but the cushion shrinks.
Come here if you're committed to an engineering degree and plan to work in the upper Midwest. Look elsewhere if you're undecided or drawn to fields outside engineering, since this school isn't built for you and the price won't pay off the same way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Milwaukee School of Engineering worth the cost?
With graduates earning $89,070 ten years out and median debt of $27,000, MSOE provides solid ROI for engineering students. The net price of $24,021 annually is reasonable compared to similar technical schools, though the 71.5% graduation rate means nearly 3 in 10 students don't finish.
What are the highest paying programs at Milwaukee School of Engineering?
Business Administration leads at $94,408 annually, followed by Mechanical Engineering at $74,200. Computer Engineering ($72,857) and Electrical Engineering ($68,316) also provide strong earning potential, while Architectural Engineering trails at $67,420.
How much debt do Milwaukee School of Engineering graduates have?
MSOE graduates carry a median debt of $27,000, which is manageable given typical starting salaries in engineering fields. This debt load is lower than many private colleges and should be payable within 10-15 years for most engineering graduates.
Does Milwaukee School of Engineering have good job placement rates?
While specific placement data isn't available, the $89,070 average earnings after 10 years suggest strong employment outcomes for MSOE graduates. The focus on practical engineering and business programs aligns well with employer demand in the Midwest manufacturing region.