Grinnell vs. MSOE

Comparable Facts

Compare Grinnell College in Grinnell, IA with Milwaukee School of Engineering in Milwaukee, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Milwaukee School of Engineering is larger than Grinnell based on total student enrollment (2,953 students vs. 1,788 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Grinnell College is located in Grinnell, IA (Remote Town setting); Milwaukee School of Engineering is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Grinnell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Milwaukee School of Engineering is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Grinnell College 9:1; Milwaukee School of Engineering 12:1.

Grinnell vs. MSOE Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Grinnell or MSOE? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Milwaukee School of Engineering than Grinnell ($25,669 vs. $34,363).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Milwaukee School of Engineering are 17% lower than at Grinnell College ($13,984 vs. $16,842).
• Grinnell College is 34.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than MSOE (about $17,626 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $50,480.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.9% higher at Grinnell than at Milwaukee School of Engineering (about $17,626 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $50,480.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Milwaukee School of Engineering than at Grinnell College (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Grinnell College students is 32.7% larger than aid received by Milwaukee School of Engineering students ($49,077 vs. $36,997).

Grinnell vs. MSOE Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Grinnell or MSOE? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between MSOE and Grinnell.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Grinnell College (1480) is 200 points higher than at MSOE (1280).
• Incoming Grinnell students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 27 at MSOE).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 1410/1540; Milwaukee School of Engineering 1160/1405.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 31/34; Milwaukee School of Engineering 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Grinnell - Test optional; MSOE - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Grinnell Jan 15, 2027; MSOE Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Grinnell students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at MSOE (3.65).
• MSOE has a higher acceptance rate (58.9%) than Grinnell (14.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at Grinnell vs. 17.2% at MSOE.

Grinnell vs. MSOE Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Grinnell and MSOE? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Grinnell College's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than Milwaukee School of Engineering's (57%).
• Graduates from Milwaukee School of Engineering earn a median of about $9,400 more per year than Grinnell graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,900 vs. $59,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grinnell College graduates have a $13,830 lower median loan debt than MSOE graduates ($13,170 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Grinnell graduates have an estimated $143 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSOE graduates ($136 vs. $279).
• More Grinnell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MSOE students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 83%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.