Milwaukee School of Engineering combines moderately selective admissions with exceptional post-graduation earnings outcomes. As a Selective Achievers institution, the university generates $26,100 in earnings beyond expectations while maintaining focused technical programming that delivers among the highest return on investment performance we track nationally.
With performance among the highest we track, driven by exceptional long-term earnings relative to educational investment
Higher costs relative to typical institutions
Typical enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students for a private institution
The institution's position as a Selective Achievers institution with strong outcomes but more limited access
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisExceptional return on investment performance
Milwaukee School of Engineering ranks #223 nationally in Azimuth's institutional analysis, with composite performance at the 86.4th percentile. Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this medium-sized private nonprofit institution maintains moderately selective admission standards with a 60.4% acceptance rate while delivering exceptional post-graduation outcomes.
The university enrolls 22.7% Pell-eligible students and 23.6% first-generation students, placing it around the national average for access measures. Graduates earn $26,100 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 96.3rd percentile nationally for earnings uplift.
Median earnings reach $89,070 ten years after enrollment, placing Milwaukee School of Engineering in the 96th percentile for long-term earnings. Compared to a peer median of $63,066, graduates earn $26,004 more annually.
This combination of moderate selectivity, typical access levels, and exceptional earnings outcomes places Milwaukee School of Engineering within the Selective Achievers quadrant, where institutions deliver strong post-graduation results while serving a more focused student population.
Milwaukee School of Engineering delivers exceptional earnings outcomes relative to educational investment and student backgrounds. Graduates earn a median of $89,070 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 96th percentile nationally for long-term earnings performance.
Earnings range from $66,120 at the 25th percentile to $109,311 at the 75th percentile, reflecting varied career paths across engineering and technical disciplines. The institution generates $26,100 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it at the 96.3rd percentile nationally on this critical measure of value creation.
Students seeking strong post-graduation outcomes in engineering and technical fields, particularly those who value practical application and career preparation. Well-suited for students who want selective admissions standards (60.4% acceptance rate) combined with exceptional return on investment performance.
Milwaukee School of Engineering's Selective Achievers designation reflects strong earnings outcomes with a more focused student population.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
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This is the Milwaukee School Of Engineering hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/milwaukee-school-of-engineering/analysis.
Milwaukee School of Engineering admits approximately 60.4% of applicants, meaning roughly 3 in 5 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places the institution in the Moderately Selective category, with admission rates between 50-75%.
The peer median admission rate of 70.6% indicates Milwaukee School of Engineering maintains somewhat more selective standards than typical private nonprofit institutions of similar size and mission. This 10.2 percentage point difference suggests the university can be more choosy in building its incoming class while still maintaining reasonable accessibility for qualified applicants.
The institution's moderate selectivity aligns with its technical focus and career-oriented mission, allowing for careful evaluation of applicants' preparation for rigorous engineering and technical curricula. Students should approach Milwaukee School of Engineering as a realistic target school rather than a reach, particularly those with solid academic preparation in mathematics and sciences.
The 60.4% acceptance rate means that while admission is competitive, well-prepared students have reasonable prospects for acceptance. Applicants should ensure their academic background aligns with the institution's technical focus and demonstrate genuine interest in engineering or related technical fields when building their application materials.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Milwaukee School of Engineering's published cost of attendance is $60,439 per year, consisting of $48,421 in tuition and fees, $12,562 for room and board, and $1,000 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays significantly less after financial aid, with a net price of $24,021 representing average savings of $36,418 annually.
This 60% reduction from sticker price indicates substantial financial aid availability, though the final net price remains $3,122 above the peer median of $27,143 for similar private nonprofit institutions. The cost structure reflects Milwaukee School of Engineering's position as a specialized technical institution, with tuition levels that support smaller class sizes and specialized laboratory equipment typical of engineering programs.
The significant gap between published price and average net cost demonstrates the institution's commitment to making technical education accessible despite higher operating costs. Students should focus on net price rather than sticker price when evaluating affordability, as the financial aid system substantially reduces costs for most families.
The above-peer net pricing indicates families should expect to pay somewhat more than at typical private institutions, though the earnings premium of $26,004 over peer graduates helps justify the additional investment over the long term.
Milwaukee School of Engineering graduates demonstrate steady earnings growth and exceptional long-term financial outcomes. Median earnings rise from $75,114 six years after enrollment to $81,364 at eight years and $89,070 at ten years, representing 18.6% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on cohorts ranging from 838 to 977 graduates across different time horizons, providing high confidence in the reported figures. Graduates earn $26,100 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing Milwaukee School of Engineering at the 96.3rd percentile for earnings uplift performance.
This substantial premium reflects the institution's effectiveness in translating educational inputs into career advancement. Low-income graduates earn $62,100, demonstrating that strong outcomes extend across different economic backgrounds.
Earnings span from $66,120 at the 25th percentile to $109,311 at the 75th percentile, with the 1.7:1 ratio indicating relatively consistent outcomes across graduates. Approximately 27.6% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, suggesting the institution prepares students effectively for both workforce entry and advanced education pathways.
The combination of steady earnings growth, substantial value creation, and consistent outcomes across income levels positions Milwaukee School of Engineering among the top-performing institutions nationally.
Computer Engineering, General.
82 graduates
Architectural Engineering.
23 graduates
Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
90 graduates
Construction Management, General.
14 graduates
Mechanical Engineering.
127 graduates
Milwaukee School of Engineering offers 10 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for evaluation. Architectural Engineering ranks #3 nationally and #1 in Wisconsin, producing 23 graduates with exceptional median earnings of $83,160 and a value score of 75.0.
Computer Engineering ranks #47 nationally and #2 in Wisconsin, graduating 82 students with median earnings of $88,667 and strong value performance at 62.6. Electrical and Electronics Engineering ranks #83 nationally and #1 in Wisconsin, with 90 graduates earning $82,315.
Mechanical Engineering, the institution's largest program, graduates 127 students annually with median earnings of $77,208. Industrial Engineering ranks #61 nationally and #3 in Wisconsin, graduating 26 students with earnings of $75,712.
The concentration in engineering disciplines reflects Milwaukee School of Engineering's specialized mission and contributes directly to its exceptional earnings outcomes and return on investment performance.
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Marquette University Higher acceptance rate (27 percentage points higher) and located 1 miles away; similar graduate earnings | WI | 87% | $78,257 | Compare |
Bellin College Higher acceptance rate (39.6 percentage points higher) and located 98 miles away; similar graduate earnings | WI | 100% | $76,222 | Compare |
Clarkson University Higher acceptance rate (16.8 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | NY | 77% | $89,696 | Compare |
Kettering University Higher acceptance rate (18.7 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | MI | 79% | $94,823 | Compare |
Illinois Institute Of Technology Same region (85 miles away) with similar earnings and similar program focus; same institution type | IL | 55% | $82,592 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Thomas Jefferson University Similar quality tier (#237 ranked) | PA | 86% | $77,449 | #237 | Compare |
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Similar quality tier (#246 ranked) | NY | 58% | $102,051 | #246 | Compare |
Holy Family University Similar quality tier (#249 ranked) | PA | 74% | $62,235 | #249 | Compare |
Mount Saint Mary's University Similar quality tier (#250 ranked) | CA | 69% | $72,379 | #250 | Compare |
Grinnell College Similar quality tier in Midwest (#252 ranked) | IA | 13% | $62,830 | #252 | Compare |