Milwaukee School of Engineering: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

Milwaukee, Wisconsin · Private nonprofit · Moderately selective · CDS 2024-2025

Acceptance rate
62%
6,338 applicants
Median SAT
1270
Mid 50: 1180–1340
In-state tuition
$50,480
per year, before aid
Net price (avg)
$22,453
after aid, what families pay
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Quick answer

Milwaukee School of Engineering is a private nonprofit university in Milwaukee, Wisconsin that admits about 62% of applicants, making it a moderately selective school. The average family pays about $22,453 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering and Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 67% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 17.7 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.

Milwaukee School of Engineering is a private institution located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with a moderately selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, Milwaukee School of Engineering admits about half to three-quarters of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 62%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1270 and an ACT composite around 27. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $22,453 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.

What GPA does my child need for Milwaukee School of Engineering?

51% of enrolled students at Milwaukee School of Engineering had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.69, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.

Actual GPA distribution of admitted students
4.00
10.3%
3.75–3.99
40.4%
3.50–3.74
26.8%
3.25–3.49
14.4%
3.00–3.24
7.2%
2.50–2.99
0.8%
From the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Milwaukee School of Engineering.

What does Milwaukee School of Engineering weight in admissions?

Milwaukee School of Engineering reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean

Very Important1 factor
  • Academic GPA
Important3 factors
  • Rigor of secondary school record
  • Extracurricular activities
  • Talent/ability

SAT and ACT scores Milwaukee School of Engineering typically admits

Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.

SAT Composite
25th percentile1180
50th percentile1270
75th percentile1340
% submitting SAT10%
ACT Composite
25th percentile25
50th percentile28
75th percentile31
% submitting ACT32%
Current testing policy
  • Test-blind: Milwaukee School of Engineering does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, even if submitted.
  • • Policy detail: Not considered

How much does Milwaukee School of Engineering actually cost?

Published tuition is $50,480 for in-state students and $50,480 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $13,984 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $22,453 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 24% of students receive Pell Grants.

In-state tuition$48,240
Room and board$13,984
Average net price (after aid)$22,453
Application fee

Application deadlines and early decision data for Milwaukee School of Engineering

Regular admission
Rolling admissionsYes

Will my child graduate from Milwaukee School of Engineering?

These predict outcomes at Milwaukee School of Engineering better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates

Freshman retention
83.78%
returned for sophomore year
4-year graduation
47.48%
finished on time
6-year graduation
67.11%
finished within 6 years

Most popular majors at Milwaukee School of Engineering

The most popular undergraduate programs at Milwaukee School of Engineering, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering and Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering. Across all programs, Milwaukee School of Engineering confers roughly 457 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Mechanical Engineering program report a median income of about $87,507 five years after entering college. What these figures mean

MajorGraduates / yearMedian earnings (5 yrs out)
Mechanical Engineering134$87,507
Computer Engineering73$99,744
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering73$87,003
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing66$78,832
Computer Science35
Biomedical/Medical Engineering29$85,180
Architectural Engineering24$88,204
Civil Engineering23
Bachelor's-degree completions from federal IPEDS data; earnings from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Is Milwaukee School of Engineering safe? Campus crime & safety

In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Milwaukee School of Engineering disclosed 47 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 17.7 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 13 violent offenses and 10 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts

Total offenses
47
17.7 per 1,000 students
Violent crime
13
4.90 per 1,000
Sexual assault / VAWA
10
3.77 per 1,000
Burglary
0
reported incidents
Clery Act 2024, rates per 2,654 enrolled.

What is campus life like at Milwaukee School of Engineering?

About 50% of undergraduates at Milwaukee School of Engineering live in campus housing, making it a largely residential campus. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.

Live on campus
50%
of undergraduates
From the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Milwaukee School of Engineering.

Other colleges in Wisconsin parents ask about

Colleges that admit at a similar rate

Next steps for Milwaukee School of Engineering

Common questions parents ask about Milwaukee School of Engineering

What GPA do I need for Milwaukee School of Engineering?

51% of enrolled students at Milwaukee School of Engineering had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.69, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.

What SAT or ACT score does Milwaukee School of Engineering typically admit?

Milwaukee School of Engineering is test-blind: SAT and ACT scores are not considered in admission decisions, even if you submit them. There is no score range because scores are not read.

How much does Milwaukee School of Engineering actually cost after financial aid?

The average net price at Milwaukee School of Engineering after grants and scholarships is $22,453 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $50,480. Budget against the net figure.

Is Milwaukee School of Engineering realistic for my child?

Milwaukee School of Engineering admits 62% of applicants, so the transcript and course rigour carry the decision, with no published score band to place against. Then check the $22,453 average net price against what your family can carry.

What is the acceptance rate at Milwaukee School of Engineering?

Milwaukee School of Engineering accepts about 62% of applicants out of roughly 6,338 who apply each year. That makes it a moderately selective school.

Is Milwaukee School of Engineering test-optional?

Milwaukee School of Engineering is test-blind: it does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, even if you submit them.

What is the graduation rate at Milwaukee School of Engineering?

About 67% of students at Milwaukee School of Engineering graduate within six years, and 47% finish in four years. 84% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.

What does Milwaukee School of Engineering look for in applicants?

Milwaukee School of Engineering rates GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.

Is Milwaukee School of Engineering a public or private school, and where is it located?

Milwaukee School of Engineering is a private nonprofit institution located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

What are the most popular majors at Milwaukee School of Engineering?

The largest undergraduate majors at Milwaukee School of Engineering by annual graduates are Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering and Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering. The school awards about 457 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.

Is Milwaukee School of Engineering safe? What is its campus crime rate?

Milwaukee School of Engineering reported 47 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 17.7 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.

What is campus life like at Milwaukee School of Engineering?

At Milwaukee School of Engineering, 50% of undergraduates live on campus, according to its most recent Common Data Set.

Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Milwaukee School of Engineering, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers