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Milwaukee Area Technical College vs Marquette University: which has better ROI?

Public, Milwaukee WI · vs · Private nonprofit, Milwaukee WI

The verdict

Marquette University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $125,948 in 4.2 years versus not at all at Milwaukee Area Technical College, on median earnings of $78,257 vs $41,113 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureMilwaukee Area Technical CollegeMarquette University
Net price / yr$9,112$31,487
Total net cost$36,448$125,948
Median earnings, 10 yrs$41,113$78,257
Median debt$14,955$23,940
Payback4.2 yrs
20-year net return-$181,388$471,992

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

Which is cheaper, Milwaukee Area Technical College or Marquette University?

Milwaukee Area Technical College, at $9,112 a year after aid versus $31,487 — a gap of $22,375 a year, or $89,500 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Milwaukee Area Technical College or Marquette University graduates earn more?

Marquette University graduates report a median $78,257 ten years after entry, $37,144 more than the $41,113 at Milwaukee Area Technical College. 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, Milwaukee Area Technical College or Marquette University?

Milwaukee Area Technical College: its completers carry a median $14,955 in federal loans versus $23,940 at Marquette University, a difference of $8,985. 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 25% at Milwaukee Area Technical College. 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 Area Technical College vs Marquette University: frequently asked questions

Is Milwaukee Area Technical College or Marquette University a better value?
Marquette University. It clears its $125,948 net cost in about 4.2 years versus no clear payback at Milwaukee Area Technical College, on median earnings of $78,257 vs $41,113 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Milwaukee Area Technical College or Marquette University?
Milwaukee Area Technical College: $9,112/yr net price after aid versus $31,487/yr at Marquette University — a difference of $22,375 a year, or about $89,500 over four years.
Do Milwaukee Area Technical College or Marquette University graduates earn more?
Marquette University graduates earn a median $78,257 ten years after entry, versus $41,113 at Milwaukee Area Technical College — a $37,144 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.