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Head-to-head comparison

Milwaukee School of Engineering vs Carroll University: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Milwaukee WI · vs · Private nonprofit, Waukesha WI

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

Option A Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee School of Engineering

Net price / year
$22,453
Earnings, 10 years
$89,070
Payback
2.2 yrs

Option B Waukesha, WI

Carroll University

Net price / year
$15,193
Earnings, 10 years
$58,009
Payback
6.3 yrs
The verdict

Milwaukee School of Engineering has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $89,812 in 2.2 years versus 6.3 years at Carroll University, on median earnings of $89,070 vs $58,009 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureMilwaukee School of EngineeringCarroll University
Net price / yr$22,453$15,193
Total net cost$89,812$60,772
Median earnings, 10 yrs$89,070$58,009
Median debt$27,000$27,000
Payback2.2 yrs6.3 yrs
20-year net return$724,388$132,208

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

The short answer

Which is cheaper, Milwaukee School of Engineering or Carroll University?

Carroll University, at $15,193 a year after aid versus $22,453 — a gap of $7,260 a year, or $29,040 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

The short answer

Do Milwaukee School of Engineering or Carroll University graduates earn more?

Milwaukee School of Engineering graduates report a median $89,070 ten years after entry, $31,061 more than the $58,009 at Carroll University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

The short answer

Which leaves students with less debt, Milwaukee School of Engineering or Carroll University?

Completers at both borrow a median $27,000, so neither school has the debt advantage. That figure covers federal loans of students who finished — borrowers who leave early are not counted, and private loans sit outside it.

The short answer

Which graduates more of its students?

71% of students finish at Carroll University, against 67% at Milwaukee School of Engineering. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Milwaukee School of Engineering vs Carroll University: frequently asked questions

Is Milwaukee School of Engineering or Carroll University a better value?
Milwaukee School of Engineering. It clears its $89,812 net cost in about 2.2 years versus 6.3 years at Carroll University, on median earnings of $89,070 vs $58,009 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Milwaukee School of Engineering or Carroll University?
Carroll University: $15,193/yr net price after aid versus $22,453/yr at Milwaukee School of Engineering — a difference of $7,260 a year, or about $29,040 over four years.
Do Milwaukee School of Engineering or Carroll University graduates earn more?
Milwaukee School of Engineering graduates earn a median $89,070 ten years after entry, versus $58,009 at Carroll University — a $31,061 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.