University of Wisconsin-Madison 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 2.7 years at University of Wisconsin-Madison, on median earnings of $89,070 vs $73,792 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Wisconsin-Madison | Milwaukee School of Engineering |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,354 | $22,453 |
| Total net cost | $69,416 | $89,812 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $73,792 | $89,070 |
| Median debt | $20,484 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 2.7 yrs | 2.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $439,224 | $724,388 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Wisconsin-Madison or Milwaukee School of Engineering?
University of Wisconsin-Madison, at $17,354 a year after aid versus $22,453 — a gap of $5,099 a year, or $20,396 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-Madison or Milwaukee School of Engineering graduates earn more?
Milwaukee School of Engineering graduates report a median $89,070 ten years after entry, $15,278 more than the $73,792 at University of Wisconsin-Madison. 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-Madison or Milwaukee School of Engineering?
University of Wisconsin-Madison: its completers carry a median $20,484 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Milwaukee School of Engineering, a difference of $6,516. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
90% of students finish at University of Wisconsin-Madison, 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.