Milwaukee, Wisconsin Colleges: Costs & Earnings (2026 stats)
TL;DR
Colleges in Milwaukee, Wisconsin: median public in-state tuition $35,765 (+548.9% vs national median) median 10-year earnings $54,827 (+0.8% vs U.S.) employment-outcome proxy 92.7% working & not enrolled at 8 years median graduate debt $23,470 (+76.8% vs U.S.) 43,045 students enrolled statewide.
Key Facts
- Institutions in this profile: 14 campuses
- Total college enrollment: 43,045 students
- Median public in-state tuition: $35,765 (+548.9% vs U.S.)
- Median earnings 10 years after entry: $54,827 (+0.8% vs U.S.)
- Working & not enrolled (8-yr cohort proxy): 92.7% (+4.7 pp vs U.S.)
- Median net price: $22,453 (+125.2% vs U.S.)
- Median student debt at graduation: $23,470 (+76.9% vs U.S. $13,271); regional median $14,211
- Average completion rate (institutions in state): 63.6%
- Median first-year retention (full-time, 4-yr): 73.0%
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Overview
Colleges and universities in Milwaukee serve students across Wisconsin with associate, bachelor's, and graduate pathways. 14 reporting campuses in this city profile, with about 43,045 students enrolled in federal data, and median in-state tuition near $35,765. Tables below compare costs, completion, earnings, and standout institutions against Milwaukee, Wisconsin and U.S. medians from the College Scorecard.
Milwaukee vs Wisconsin & national benchmarks
Medians aggregate institution-level College Scorecard fields unless noted. Enrollment is total undergraduate headcount summed across reporting campuses.
| Geography | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion rate | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, Wisconsin | $35,765 | $22,453 | $23,470 | 63.6% | 43,045 |
| Wisconsin (state median) | $5,112 | $12,252 | $20,492 | 56.0% | 227,817 |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,969 | $13,271 | 50.3% | 14,468,221 |
Earnings & employment outcomes: Milwaukee, Wisconsin vs benchmarks
Scorecard does not publish formal job-placement rates. We use the share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled (working ÷ working + not working) as a federal employment-outcome proxy. 2-yr and 3-yr default rates are federal cohort default shares (0–1 scale). We show 2-yr default as the primary benchmark; 3-yr default appears only when enough campuses report non-suppressed values (otherwise —). 3-yr repayment progress is the share of completers making progress on loans after 3 years. Sample: bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200. Medians pool campus-level values.
| Geography | Median earnings (10 yr) | Working & not enrolled (8 yr) | Retention (FT yr 1) | 2-yr default | 3-yr default | 3-yr repayment progress | Debt ÷ earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, Wisconsin | $54,827 | 92.7% | 73.0% | 4.0% | — | 77.0% | 0.45 |
| Wisconsin (state median) | $55,452 | 94.3% | 76.4% | 3.2% | — | 81.8% | 0.42 |
| United States | $54,384 | 88.0% | 76.4% | 5.0% | — | 73.7% | 0.41 |
Other cities in Wisconsin (3+ campuses)
Other cities in the same state with at least three reporting campuses.
| City | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion | Enrollment | Earnings (10 yr) | Working (8 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, Wisconsin | $35,765 | $22,453 | $23,470 | 63.6% | 43,045 | $54,827 | 92.7% |
| Madison | $12,526 | $19,549 | $17,272 | 44.6% | 50,789 | $66,760 | 94.2% |
| Madison | $12,526 | $19,549 | $17,272 | 44.6% | 50,789 | $66,760 | 94.2% |
| Madison | $12,526 | $19,549 | $17,272 | 44.6% | 50,789 | $66,760 | 94.2% |
| La Crosse | $10,070 | $16,210 | $22,500 | 69.7% | 13,709 | $58,019 | 96.1% |
| Eau Claire | $7,243 | $16,550 | $16,170 | 63.8% | 13,227 | $58,561 | 95.7% |
| Green Bay | $8,700 | $13,369 | $18,000 | 56.7% | 12,536 | $64,375 | 95.6% |
| Kenosha | $10,860 | $23,066 | $20,492 | 64.3% | 11,087 | $51,129 | 91.2% |
| Appleton | $31,011 | $19,436 | $10,196 | 76.8% | 7,339 | $55,789 | 86.1% |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,969 | $13,271 | 50.3% | 14,468,221 | $54,384 | 88.0% |
Outcomes by sector in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Median campus-level metrics within each ownership type (public, private nonprofit, private for-profit).
| Sector | Campuses | Median earnings (10 yr) | Working share (8 yr) | Retention | 2-yr default | 3-yr default | 3-yr repayment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private nonprofit | 6 | $53,904 | 92.9% | 76.0% | 3.2% | — | 75.7% |
Top 7 colleges in Milwaukee, Wisconsin by graduation rate (150% time)
Ranked by 150% time completion rate (4-year bachelor's-predominant institutions, enrollment ≥ 500). Higher rate = more students finishing within 150% of normal time.
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Rank 1, Graduation Rate, 83.2%, Marquette University
Marquette University
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Rank 2, Graduation Rate, 67.1%, Milwaukee School of Engineering
Milwaukee School of Engineering
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Rank 3, Graduation Rate, 67.0%, Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design
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Rank 4, Graduation Rate, 63.6%, Wisconsin Lutheran College
Wisconsin Lutheran College
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Rank 5, Graduation Rate, 49.3%, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
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Rank 6, Graduation Rate, 49.2%, Alverno College
Alverno College
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Rank 7, Graduation Rate, 43.0%, Mount Mary University
Mount Mary University
Top 8 colleges in Milwaukee, Wisconsin by employment outcome (8 yrs after entry, working & not enrolled)
Ranked by share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled — a federal outcome proxy, not a verified job-placement rate. Enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, Employment Outcome, 95.8%, Milwaukee School of Engineering
Milwaukee School of Engineering
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Rank 2, Employment Outcome, 95.6%, Wisconsin Lutheran College
Wisconsin Lutheran College
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Rank 3, Employment Outcome, 93.6%, Marquette University
Marquette University
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Rank 4, Employment Outcome, 92.7%, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
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Rank 5, Employment Outcome, 92.7%, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Flex
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Flex
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Rank 6, Employment Outcome, 92.2%, Alverno College
Alverno College
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Rank 7, Employment Outcome, 91.0%, Mount Mary University
Mount Mary University
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Rank 8, Employment Outcome, 89.3%, Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design
Top 8 most selective colleges in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (lowest admission rate)
Ranked by lowest admission rate (most selective first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500 and a reported admission rate.
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Rank 1, Admission Rate, 58.9%, Milwaukee School of Engineering
Milwaukee School of Engineering
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Rank 2, Admission Rate, 60.5%, Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design
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Rank 3, Admission Rate, 62.3%, Mount Mary University
Mount Mary University
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Rank 4, Admission Rate, 78.2%, Wisconsin Lutheran College
Wisconsin Lutheran College
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Rank 5, Admission Rate, 81.3%, Marquette University
Marquette University
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Rank 6, Admission Rate, 85.7%, Alverno College
Alverno College
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Rank 7, Admission Rate, 90.7%, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
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Rank 8, Admission Rate, 100.0%, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Flex
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Flex
Top 8 colleges in Milwaukee, Wisconsin by entry-level earnings (1 yr post-completion, program)
Ranked by median program-level earnings one year after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; reflects completers in reported CIP programs, not all entrants.
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Rank 1, Entry-Level Earnings, $81,797, Marquette University
Marquette University
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Rank 2, Entry-Level Earnings, $79,353, Milwaukee School of Engineering
Milwaukee School of Engineering
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Rank 3, Entry-Level Earnings, $76,982, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
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Rank 4, Entry-Level Earnings, $72,598, Wisconsin Lutheran College
Wisconsin Lutheran College
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Rank 5, Entry-Level Earnings, $72,005, Alverno College
Alverno College
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Rank 6, Entry-Level Earnings, $70,900, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Flex
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Flex
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Rank 7, Entry-Level Earnings, $39,038, Mount Mary University
Mount Mary University
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Rank 8, Entry-Level Earnings, $28,801, Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design
Top 8 colleges in Milwaukee, Wisconsin by early-career earnings (4 yr post-completion, program)
Ranked by median program-level earnings four years after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; program cohort, not institution-wide median.
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Rank 1, Early-Career Earnings, $106,686, Marquette University
Marquette University
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Rank 2, Early-Career Earnings, $103,360, Milwaukee School of Engineering
Milwaukee School of Engineering
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Rank 3, Early-Career Earnings, $95,849, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
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Rank 4, Early-Career Earnings, $82,669, Wisconsin Lutheran College
Wisconsin Lutheran College
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Rank 5, Early-Career Earnings, $81,388, Alverno College
Alverno College
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Rank 6, Early-Career Earnings, $81,067, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Flex
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Flex
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Rank 7, Early-Career Earnings, $56,763, Mount Mary University
Mount Mary University
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Rank 8, Early-Career Earnings, $50,109, Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design
Top 8 colleges in Milwaukee, Wisconsin by mid-career earnings (6 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings six years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, Mid-Career Earnings, $75,114, Milwaukee School of Engineering
Milwaukee School of Engineering
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Rank 2, Mid-Career Earnings, $65,241, Marquette University
Marquette University
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Rank 3, Mid-Career Earnings, $51,755, Alverno College
Alverno College
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Rank 4, Mid-Career Earnings, $49,095, Wisconsin Lutheran College
Wisconsin Lutheran College
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Rank 5, Mid-Career Earnings, $45,851, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
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Rank 6, Mid-Career Earnings, $45,851, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Flex
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Flex
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Rank 7, Mid-Career Earnings, $40,421, Mount Mary University
Mount Mary University
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Rank 8, Mid-Career Earnings, $29,841, Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design
Top 8 colleges in Milwaukee, Wisconsin by 8-year earnings (8 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings eight years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, 8-Yr Earnings, $81,364, Milwaukee School of Engineering
Milwaukee School of Engineering
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Rank 2, 8-Yr Earnings, $71,388, Marquette University
Marquette University
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Rank 3, 8-Yr Earnings, $58,259, Wisconsin Lutheran College
Wisconsin Lutheran College
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Rank 4, 8-Yr Earnings, $51,158, Alverno College
Alverno College
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Rank 5, 8-Yr Earnings, $50,789, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
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Rank 6, 8-Yr Earnings, $50,789, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Flex
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Flex
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Rank 7, 8-Yr Earnings, $45,954, Mount Mary University
Mount Mary University
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Rank 8, 8-Yr Earnings, $38,748, Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design
Top 8 colleges in Milwaukee, Wisconsin by long-term earnings (10 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings ten years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, 10-Yr Earnings, $89,070, Milwaukee School of Engineering
Milwaukee School of Engineering
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Rank 2, 10-Yr Earnings, $78,257, Marquette University
Marquette University
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Rank 3, 10-Yr Earnings, $54,990, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
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Rank 4, 10-Yr Earnings, $54,990, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Flex
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Flex
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Rank 5, 10-Yr Earnings, $54,664, Wisconsin Lutheran College
Wisconsin Lutheran College
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Rank 6, 10-Yr Earnings, $53,145, Alverno College
Alverno College
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Rank 7, 10-Yr Earnings, $48,745, Mount Mary University
Mount Mary University
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Rank 8, 10-Yr Earnings, $41,174, Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design
Top 7 colleges in Milwaukee, Wisconsin by 10-year ROI
Ranked by 10-year return on investment (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200 and a computed ROI in the EDsmart dataset.
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Rank 1, 10-Yr ROI, $296,739, Milwaukee School of Engineering
Milwaukee School of Engineering
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Rank 2, 10-Yr ROI, $200,588, Marquette University
Marquette University
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Rank 3, 10-Yr ROI, $177,770, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
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Rank 4, 10-Yr ROI, $155,932, Wisconsin Lutheran College
Wisconsin Lutheran College
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Rank 5, 10-Yr ROI, $146,966, Alverno College
Alverno College
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Rank 6, 10-Yr ROI, $124,937, Mount Mary University
Mount Mary University
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Rank 7, 10-Yr ROI, $51,314, Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design
Top 7 most affordable colleges in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (net price)
Ranked by lowest average net price (most affordable first). Uses overall net price, or mid-income bracket net price for public schools when available. Enrollment ≥ 300.
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Rank 1, Net Price, $15,014, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
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Rank 2, Net Price, $20,144, Mount Mary University
Mount Mary University
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Rank 3, Net Price, $22,453, Milwaukee School of Engineering
Milwaukee School of Engineering
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Rank 4, Net Price, $22,540, Alverno College
Alverno College
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Rank 5, Net Price, $23,245, Wisconsin Lutheran College
Wisconsin Lutheran College
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Rank 6, Net Price, $26,541, Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design
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Rank 7, Net Price, $31,487, Marquette University
Marquette University
Top 7 colleges in Milwaukee, Wisconsin by first-year retention (full-time)
Ranked by first-year, full-time retention rate (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, First-Year Retention, 91.0%, Marquette University
Marquette University
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Rank 2, First-Year Retention, 83.8%, Milwaukee School of Engineering
Milwaukee School of Engineering
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Rank 3, First-Year Retention, 79.5%, Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design
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Rank 4, First-Year Retention, 73.0%, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
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Rank 5, First-Year Retention, 72.5%, Wisconsin Lutheran College
Wisconsin Lutheran College
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Rank 6, First-Year Retention, 67.2%, Mount Mary University
Mount Mary University
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Rank 7, First-Year Retention, 61.0%, Alverno College
Alverno College
In-state tuition: Milwaukee, Wisconsin vs benchmarks
Sticker price
Milwaukee, Wisconsin median in-state tuition is $35,765, +548.9% vs the U.S. median.
Student debt: Milwaukee, Wisconsin vs benchmarks
Borrowing
Median debt at graduation in Milwaukee, Wisconsin is $23,470 (+76.8% vs U.S. median $13,271). Regional median: $14,211.
Median earnings (10 years out): Milwaukee, Wisconsin vs benchmarks
Payoff
Median earnings 10 years after entry for bachelor's-predominant campuses in Milwaukee, Wisconsin center around $54,827 (+0.8% vs U.S.).
Median institution-level 10-year earnings. Source: College Scorecard.
Employment outcome proxy: Milwaukee, Wisconsin vs benchmarks
Working & not enrolled
The share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled—our Scorecard employment proxy—is 92.7% at the median Milwaukee, Wisconsin campus (+4.7 pp vs U.S.).
Percent of 8-year cohort working and not enrolled (not a formal placement rate).
Analysis & insights
EDsmart Data aggregates institution-level College Scorecard data for this profile. Highlights below compare local medians to U.S. and regional benchmarks.
Costs & borrowing
Milwaukee, Wisconsin median public in-state tuition is $35,765, about +548.9% vs the national median. Versus the Great Lakes region, tuition is +535.8%.
Median graduate debt is $23,470 (+76.8% above the U.S. median of $13,271). Low sticker prices do not always mean low borrowing—living costs, time-to-degree, and aid mix matter.
Earnings, employment & retention
Among bachelor's-predominant campuses with ≥200 students, median 10-year earnings in Milwaukee, Wisconsin are $54,827, about +0.8% vs the U.S. campus median ($54,384).
The median campus reports 92.7% of its 8-year cohort as working and not enrolled—our closest federal proxy to a placement rate. The U.S. campus median is 88.0% (+4.7 pp). Formal job-placement statistics are not published in Scorecard; treat this as a comparative outcome indicator, not a hire guarantee.
First-year, full-time retention at the median campus is 73.0% vs a U.S. median of 76.4%—a leading indicator for completion and time-to-degree.
Loan repayment indicators at the median campus: 2-yr default 4.0% (U.S. 5.0%); 3-yr repayment progress 77.0% (U.S. 73.7%). 3-yr default is omitted when most campuses report suppressed zeros.
Top employment-outcome campuses in this extract include Milwaukee School of Engineering (95.8%), Wisconsin Lutheran College (95.6%), Marquette University (93.6%), University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (92.7%), University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Flex (92.7%), Alverno College (92.2%), Mount Mary University (91.0%), Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (89.3%)—useful anchors for local reporting on where graduates are most often working rather than still enrolled.
Completion & workforce context
Within Milwaukee, Wisconsin, sector medians diverge: Private nonprofit median 10-yr earnings $53,904 (6 campuses). Public campuses often dominate enrollment while private nonprofits can show higher earnings medians at selective institutions.
Average institution-level completion rate across all sectors in Milwaukee, Wisconsin is 63.6% (national institution average about 50.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions
How many colleges are in Milwaukee?
This city profile covers 14 campuses in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with College Scorecard cost or outcomes data.
How much does college cost in Milwaukee?
Median in-state tuition in Milwaukee is $35,765 and median net price is $22,453. For Wisconsin overall, medians are $5,112 and $12,252; U.S. medians are $5,512 and $9,969.
What do graduates earn in Milwaukee?
Median 10-year earnings for campuses in Milwaukee is $54,827 vs $55,452 for Wisconsin and $54,384 nationally.
What is student debt like for Milwaukee colleges?
Median completer debt in Milwaukee is $23,470 vs $20,492 for Wisconsin and $13,271 nationally.
What are the best colleges in Milwaukee?
Top campuses on this page include Marquette University (graduation) and Milwaukee School of Engineering (10-yr earnings). See Top 10 lists for admission, affordability, and employment metrics.
Are there HBCUs, Hispanic-serving, tribal, or religious colleges in Milwaukee?
Among 14 campuses in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 2 campuses with at least 25% Hispanic enrollment in College Scorecard demographics—a common Hispanic-serving institution (HSI) eligibility proxy; examples include Alverno College and Mount Mary University; 4 religiously affiliated private nonprofit campuses (IPEDS RELAFFIL); most common affiliations: Roman Catholic (3), Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (1).
Sources & related
- Wisconsin college profile
- All college profiles
- National benchmarks
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard
- Download: JSON