Head-to-head comparison
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee vs Milwaukee School of Engineering: which has better ROI?
Option A Milwaukee, WI
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
- Net price / year
- $15,014
- Earnings, 10 years
- $54,990
- Payback
- 9.1 yrs
Option B Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee School of Engineering
- Net price / year
- $22,453
- Earnings, 10 years
- $89,070
- Payback
- 2.2 yrs
Milwaukee School of Engineering has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $89,812 in 2.2 years versus 9.1 years at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, on median earnings of $89,070 vs $54,990 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee | Milwaukee School of Engineering |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $15,014 | $22,453 |
| Total net cost | $60,056 | $89,812 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $54,990 | $89,070 |
| Median debt | $23,000 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 9.1 yrs | 2.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $72,544 | $724,388 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee or Milwaukee School of Engineering?
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, at $15,014 a year after aid versus $22,453 — a gap of $7,439 a year, or $29,756 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 University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee or Milwaukee School of Engineering graduates earn more?
Milwaukee School of Engineering graduates report a median $89,070 ten years after entry, $34,080 more than the $54,990 at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. 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, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee or Milwaukee School of Engineering?
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee: its completers carry a median $23,000 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Milwaukee School of Engineering, a difference of $4,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
67% of students finish at Milwaukee School of Engineering, against 49% at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. 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.