University of Wisconsin-La Crosse 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 5.4 years at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, on median earnings of $89,070 vs $60,378 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Wisconsin-La Crosse | Milwaukee School of Engineering |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $16,210 | $22,453 |
| Total net cost | $64,840 | $89,812 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $60,378 | $89,070 |
| Median debt | $22,500 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 5.4 yrs | 2.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $175,520 | $724,388 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse or Milwaukee School of Engineering?
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, at $16,210 a year after aid versus $22,453 — a gap of $6,243 a year, or $24,972 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of Wisconsin-La Crosse or Milwaukee School of Engineering graduates earn more?
Milwaukee School of Engineering graduates report a median $89,070 ten years after entry, $28,692 more than the $60,378 at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. 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, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse or Milwaukee School of Engineering?
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse: its completers carry a median $22,500 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Milwaukee School of Engineering, a difference of $4,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
71% of students finish at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, 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.