MSOE vs. Wisconsin

Comparable Facts

Compare Milwaukee School of Engineering in Milwaukee, WI with University of Wisconsin Madison in Madison, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Wisconsin Madison is larger than MSOE based on total student enrollment (51,044 students vs. 2,953 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Milwaukee School of Engineering is located in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting); University of Wisconsin Madison is in Madison, WI (Midsize City setting).
• Milwaukee School of Engineering is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Madison is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Milwaukee School of Engineering 12:1; University of Wisconsin Madison 18:1.

MSOE vs. Wisconsin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MSOE or Wisconsin? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Wisconsin Madison than MSOE ($14,235 vs. $25,669).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Milwaukee School of Engineering are 1% lower than at University of Wisconsin Madison ($13,984 vs. $14,124).
• Milwaukee School of Engineering is 335.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wisconsin (about $38,877 more per year; $50,480.00 vs. $11,603.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.9% higher at MSOE than at University of Wisconsin Madison (about $8,377 more per year; $50,480.00 vs. $42,103.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Milwaukee School of Engineering than at University of Wisconsin Madison (100% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Milwaukee School of Engineering students is 108.5% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Madison students ($36,997 vs. $17,741).

MSOE vs. Wisconsin Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MSOE or Wisconsin? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Wisconsin and MSOE.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Wisconsin Madison (1450) is 170 points higher than at MSOE (1280).
• Incoming Wisconsin students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 27 at MSOE).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Milwaukee School of Engineering 1160/1405; University of Wisconsin Madison 1380/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Milwaukee School of Engineering 24/30; University of Wisconsin Madison 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MSOE - Test-free; Wisconsin - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MSOE Sep 1, 2026; Wisconsin Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wisconsin students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at MSOE (3.65).
• MSOE has a higher acceptance rate (58.9%) than Wisconsin (45.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.2% at MSOE vs. 28.6% at Wisconsin.

MSOE vs. Wisconsin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MSOE and Wisconsin? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of Wisconsin Madison's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Milwaukee School of Engineering's (57%).
• Graduates from Milwaukee School of Engineering earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than Wisconsin graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,900 vs. $64,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Madison graduates have a $4,750 lower median loan debt than MSOE graduates ($22,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Wisconsin graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSOE graduates ($230 vs. $279).
• More Wisconsin graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MSOE students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 83%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.