Head-to-head · 2026
Milwaukee School of Engineering vs University of Wisconsin-Madison
Compare average net price ($22,453 at Milwaukee School of Engineering; $17,354 at University of Wisconsin-Madison), ROI score (9.92 vs 10.63), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($89,070 vs $73,792), and admissions selectivity (58.9% acceptance at Milwaukee School of Engineering; 45.2% at University of Wisconsin-Madison) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Milwaukee School of Engineering | University of Wisconsin-Madison |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 9.92 | 10.63 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $22,453 | $17,354 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $89,812 | $69,416 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $50,480 | $11,603 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $50,480 | $42,103 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $89,070 ✓ | $73,792 |
| Acceptance rate | 58.9% | 45.2% |
| Graduation rate | 67.1% | 89.6% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 83.8% | 96.2% ✓ |
| Median debt | $27,000 | $20,484 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 2,654 | 36,902 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1427 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Milwaukee School of Engineering | University of Wisconsin-Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $11,607 | $4,200 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $15,919 | $4,101 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $14,495 | $8,134 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $19,034 | $17,763 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $30,292 | $27,292 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Milwaukee School of Engineering | University of Wisconsin-Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | 18.8% | 1.5% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 11.2% | 1.6% |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | 10.3% | 1.2% |
| Computer Engineering | 10.3% | 0.7% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 9.4% | 1.4% |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 8.3% | 1.1% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 1.5% | 6.1% |
| Civil Engineering | 4.8% | 0.8% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
University of Wisconsin-Madison reports the lower average net price by $5,099 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $20,396 difference over four years ($69,416 vs $89,812).
Milwaukee School of Engineering reports $15,278 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($89,070 vs $73,792). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 83.8% at Milwaukee School of Engineering and 96.2% at University of Wisconsin-Madison. Median federal debt among completers is $27,000 vs $20,484, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Milwaukee School of Engineering vs University of Wisconsin-Madison, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
University of Wisconsin-Madison is cheaper — average net price $17,354 per year vs $22,453 at Milwaukee School of Engineering. The annual difference of $5,099 adds up to about $20,396 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Milwaukee School of Engineering reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $89,070 vs $73,792 at University of Wisconsin-Madison. The gap in the federal data is $15,278. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
University of Wisconsin-Madison is more selective at 45.2% acceptance vs 58.9% at Milwaukee School of Engineering.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.