Northwestern vs. MSOE

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern University in Evanston, IL with Milwaukee School of Engineering in Milwaukee, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northwestern University is larger than MSOE based on total student enrollment (23,856 students vs. 2,953 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern University is located in Evanston, IL (Small City setting); Milwaukee School of Engineering is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Northwestern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Milwaukee School of Engineering is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern University 6:1; Milwaukee School of Engineering 12:1.

Northwestern vs. MSOE Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern 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 Northwestern ($25,669 vs. $26,830).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Milwaukee School of Engineering are 33.8% lower than at Northwestern University ($13,984 vs. $21,126).
• Northwestern University is 35.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than MSOE (about $17,842 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $50,480.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 35.3% higher at Northwestern than at Milwaukee School of Engineering (about $17,842 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $50,480.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Milwaukee School of Engineering than at Northwestern University (100% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern University students is 74.1% larger than aid received by Milwaukee School of Engineering students ($64,429 vs. $36,997).

Northwestern vs. MSOE Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northwestern 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 Northwestern.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northwestern University (1540) is 260 points higher than at MSOE (1280).
• Incoming Northwestern students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 27 at MSOE).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern University 1510/1570; Milwaukee School of Engineering 1160/1405.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern University 33/35; Milwaukee School of Engineering 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern - Test optional; MSOE - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northwestern Jan 1, 2027; MSOE Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Northwestern students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at MSOE (3.65).
• MSOE has a higher acceptance rate (58.9%) than Northwestern (7.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.3% at Northwestern vs. 17.2% at MSOE.

Northwestern vs. MSOE Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwestern 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).

• Northwestern University's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than Milwaukee School of Engineering's (57%).
• Graduates from Northwestern University earn a median of about $20,900 more per year than MSOE graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,800 vs. $68,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern University graduates have a $7,622 lower median loan debt than MSOE graduates ($19,378 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Northwestern graduates have an estimated $79 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSOE graduates ($200 vs. $279).
• More Northwestern 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.