Biomedical/Medical Engineering at Milwaukee School of Engineering

Milwaukee School of Engineering graduates earn $70,090 their first year out—well above the national median for biomedical engineering but trailing Wisconsin's top programs by a few thousand dollars. That puts this program in the 71st percentile nationally but 40th within Wisconsin, where Madison and Marquette graduates start slightly higher. The real standout here is the debt picture: at $27,000, MSOE students carry about half the average engineering school debt burden, landing in just the 5th percentile nationally. That translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39—exceptionally manageable for an engineering degree.

The moderate earnings growth to $75,667 by year four suggests these graduates enter stable technical roles rather than rapidly advancing positions, but that's common in medical device and biotech industries where biomedical engineers often work. The combination of solid starting pay and minimal debt means graduates can comfortably manage loan payments while building careers. With a 60% admission rate, MSOE offers accessible entry into a field that typically requires strong STEM credentials.

For parents weighing Wisconsin options, this represents strong value despite not leading the state in earnings. The $4,000 gap versus Madison matters far less than the low debt load, especially given MSOE's focus on practical engineering training. You're looking at a program that delivers predictable outcomes without saddling graduates with the financial burden many engineering students face.