MSOE vs. PHC

Comparable Facts

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

Milwaukee School of Engineering is larger than PHC based on total student enrollment (2,953 students vs. 425 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Milwaukee School of Engineering is located in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting); Patrick Henry College is in Purcellville, Virginia (Town Fringe setting).
• Milwaukee School of Engineering is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Patrick Henry College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Milwaukee School of Engineering 12:1; Patrick Henry College 14:1.

MSOE vs. PHC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MSOE or PHC? 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 PHC ($25,669 vs. $25,869).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Patrick Henry College are 21.2% lower than at Milwaukee School of Engineering ($11,020 vs. $13,984).
• Milwaukee School of Engineering is 77.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than PHC (about $22,055 more per year; $50,480.00 vs. $28,425.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 77.6% higher at MSOE than at Patrick Henry College (about $22,055 more per year; $50,480.00 vs. $28,425.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Milwaukee School of Engineering as at Patrick Henry College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Milwaukee School of Engineering students is 177.2% larger than aid received by Patrick Henry College students ($36,997 vs. $13,345).

MSOE vs. PHC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MSOE or PHC? 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 PHC and MSOE.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Patrick Henry College (1330) is 50 points higher than at MSOE (1280).
• Incoming PHC students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 27 at MSOE).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Milwaukee School of Engineering 1160/1405; Patrick Henry College 1240/1420.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Milwaukee School of Engineering 24/30; Patrick Henry College 27/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MSOE - Test-free; PHC - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: MSOE Sep 1, 2026; PHC Jul 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman PHC students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at MSOE (3.65).
• PHC has a higher acceptance rate (77.4%) than MSOE (58.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.2% at MSOE vs. 47.6% at PHC.

MSOE vs. PHC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MSOE and PHC? 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).

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.