MSOE vs. Purdue

Comparable Facts

Compare Milwaukee School of Engineering in Milwaukee, WI with Purdue University Main Campus in West Lafayette, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Purdue University Main Campus is larger than MSOE based on total student enrollment (58,658 students vs. 2,953 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Milwaukee School of Engineering is located in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting); Purdue University Main Campus is in West Lafayette, IN (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Milwaukee School of Engineering is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Purdue University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Milwaukee School of Engineering 12:1; Purdue University Main Campus 14:1.

MSOE vs. Purdue Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MSOE or Purdue? 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 Purdue University Main Campus than MSOE ($13,722 vs. $25,669).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Purdue University Main Campus are 8.3% lower than at Milwaukee School of Engineering ($12,820 vs. $13,984).
• Milwaukee School of Engineering is 405.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purdue (about $40,488 more per year; $50,480.00 vs. $9,992.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 75.3% higher at MSOE than at Purdue University Main Campus (about $21,686 more per year; $50,480.00 vs. $28,794.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Milwaukee School of Engineering than at Purdue University Main Campus (100% vs. 40%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Milwaukee School of Engineering students is 227.6% larger than aid received by Purdue University Main Campus students ($36,997 vs. $11,294).

MSOE vs. Purdue Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Purdue University Main Campus (1340) is 60 points higher than at MSOE (1280).
• Incoming Purdue 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; Purdue University Main Campus 1200/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Milwaukee School of Engineering 24/30; Purdue University Main Campus 27/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MSOE - Test-free; Purdue - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: MSOE Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Purdue students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at MSOE (3.65).
• MSOE has a higher acceptance rate (58.9%) than Purdue (49.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.2% at MSOE vs. 29.2% at Purdue.

MSOE vs. Purdue Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MSOE and Purdue? 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).

• Purdue University Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Milwaukee School of Engineering's (57%).
• Graduates from Milwaukee School of Engineering earn a median of about $7,700 more per year than Purdue graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,900 vs. $61,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Purdue University Main Campus graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than MSOE graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Purdue graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSOE graduates ($222 vs. $279).
• More MSOE graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Purdue students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 78%)

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.