UC vs. MSOE

Comparable Facts

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

University of Cincinnati Main Campus is larger than MSOE based on total student enrollment (45,026 students vs. 2,953 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Cincinnati Main Campus is located in Cincinnati, OH (Large City setting); Milwaukee School of Engineering is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• University of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Milwaukee School of Engineering is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Cincinnati Main Campus 19:1; Milwaukee School of Engineering 12:1.

UC vs. MSOE Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC 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 University of Cincinnati Main Campus than MSOE ($24,696 vs. $25,669).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Cincinnati Main Campus are 3% lower than at Milwaukee School of Engineering ($13,564 vs. $13,984).
• Milwaukee School of Engineering is 261.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC (about $36,504 more per year; $50,480.00 vs. $13,976.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 72.2% higher at MSOE than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (about $21,170 more per year; $50,480.00 vs. $29,310.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Milwaukee School of Engineering than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (100% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Milwaukee School of Engineering students is 351.4% larger than aid received by University of Cincinnati Main Campus students ($36,997 vs. $8,196).

UC vs. MSOE Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC 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 UC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Milwaukee School of Engineering (1280) is 10 points higher than at UC (1270).
• Incoming MSOE students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at UC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Cincinnati Main Campus 1160/1370; Milwaukee School of Engineering 1160/1405.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Cincinnati Main Campus 24/29; Milwaukee School of Engineering 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC - Test optional; MSOE - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Mar 1, 2027; MSOE Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at MSOE (3.65).
• UC has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than MSOE (58.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at UC vs. 17.2% at MSOE.

UC vs. MSOE Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC 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).

• University of Cincinnati Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Milwaukee School of Engineering's (57%).
• Graduates from Milwaukee School of Engineering earn a median of about $23,300 more per year than UC graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,900 vs. $45,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than MSOE graduates ($23,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UC graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSOE graduates ($237 vs. $279).
• More MSOE graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 57%)

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.