Mechanical Engineering at Milwaukee School of Engineering

Milwaukee School of Engineering's mechanical engineering graduates launch at $68,976—below both the Wisconsin median ($72,330) and national average for this major. That's roughly $4,000 less annually than what graduates from UW-Madison or UW-Stout command right out of school. Within Wisconsin's seven mechanical engineering programs, MSOE ranks in the 40th percentile, meaning more than half of state programs deliver stronger immediate earnings despite the school's specialized engineering focus.

The positive story here is debt management. At $27,000, graduates carry slightly more than the state median but remain in the 5th percentile nationally—meaning 95% of mechanical engineering programs nationwide leave students with more debt. The 0.39 debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable, requiring roughly a third of first-year salary to cover the debt load. Earnings do grow to $77,208 by year four, a 12% increase that's respectable but doesn't dramatically change the value equation.

For Wisconsin families, this creates a straightforward calculation: you're paying tuition at a private engineering school but getting mid-pack earnings outcomes compared to in-state public alternatives. If your child has access to UW-Madison, Stout, or even Marquette, those programs deliver $4,000-6,000 more annually in early earnings. MSOE's responsible debt levels keep this from being a poor choice, but the premium for a specialized engineering institution doesn't translate into a premium starting salary.