Marquette University vs Milwaukee School of Engineering: which has better ROI?
Milwaukee School of Engineering has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $89,812 in 2.2 years versus 4.2 years at Marquette University, on median earnings of $89,070 vs $78,257 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Marquette University | Milwaukee School of Engineering |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $31,487 | $22,453 |
| Total net cost | $125,948 | $89,812 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $78,257 | $89,070 |
| Median debt | $23,940 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 4.2 yrs | 2.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $471,992 | $724,388 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Marquette University or Milwaukee School of Engineering?
Milwaukee School of Engineering, at $22,453 a year after aid versus $31,487 — a gap of $9,034 a year, or $36,136 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Marquette University or Milwaukee School of Engineering graduates earn more?
Milwaukee School of Engineering graduates report a median $89,070 ten years after entry, $10,813 more than the $78,257 at Marquette 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.
Which leaves students with less debt, Marquette University or Milwaukee School of Engineering?
Marquette University: its completers carry a median $23,940 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Milwaukee School of Engineering, a difference of $3,060. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
83% of students finish at Marquette 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.