Michigan vs. MSOE

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Michigan Ann Arbor in Ann Arbor, MI with Milwaukee School of Engineering in Milwaukee, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Michigan Ann Arbor is larger than MSOE based on total student enrollment (52,855 students vs. 2,953 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Michigan Ann Arbor is located in Ann Arbor, MI (Midsize City setting); Milwaukee School of Engineering is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• University of Michigan Ann Arbor 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 Michigan Ann Arbor 11:1; Milwaukee School of Engineering 12:1.

Michigan vs. MSOE Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Michigan 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 Michigan Ann Arbor than MSOE ($17,574 vs. $25,669).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Milwaukee School of Engineering are 8.8% lower than at University of Michigan Ann Arbor ($13,984 vs. $15,328).
• Milwaukee School of Engineering is 184.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Michigan (about $32,744 more per year; $50,480.00 vs. $17,736.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.7% higher at Michigan than at Milwaukee School of Engineering (about $10,466 more per year; $60,946.00 vs. $50,480.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Milwaukee School of Engineering than at University of Michigan Ann Arbor (100% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Milwaukee School of Engineering students is 47.4% larger than aid received by University of Michigan Ann Arbor students ($36,997 vs. $25,099).

Michigan vs. MSOE Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Michigan 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 Michigan.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Michigan Ann Arbor (1450) is 170 points higher than at MSOE (1280).
• Incoming Michigan 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: University of Michigan Ann Arbor 1360/1530; Milwaukee School of Engineering 1160/1405.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Michigan Ann Arbor 31/34; Milwaukee School of Engineering 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Michigan - Test optional; MSOE - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Michigan Feb 1, 2027; MSOE Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Michigan students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at MSOE (3.65).
• MSOE has a higher acceptance rate (58.9%) than Michigan (15.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.3% at Michigan vs. 17.2% at MSOE.

Michigan vs. MSOE Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Michigan 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 Michigan Ann Arbor's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than Milwaukee School of Engineering's (57%).
• Graduates from University of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of about $5,500 more per year than MSOE graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,400 vs. $68,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates have a $6,897 lower median loan debt than MSOE graduates ($20,103 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Michigan graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSOE graduates ($207 vs. $279).
• More MSOE graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Michigan 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.