Milwaukee School of Engineering vs Carroll University: 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 6.3 years at Carroll University, on median earnings of $89,070 vs $58,009 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Milwaukee School of Engineering | Carroll 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 |
| Payback | 2.2 yrs | 6.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $724,388 | $132,208 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
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.
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.
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.
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.