Milwaukee, Wisconsin Colleges: Costs & Earnings (2026 stats)
TL;DR
EDsmart Data analysis of 2024 College Scorecard data for Milwaukee, Wisconsin shows: median public in-state tuition $35,765 (+548.9% vs national median) median 10-year earnings $54,827 (+0.9% vs U.S.) employment-outcome proxy 92.7% working & not enrolled at 8 years median graduate debt $23,470 (+74.7% 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 (+0.9% vs U.S.)
- Working & not enrolled (8-yr cohort proxy): 92.7% (+4.8 pp vs U.S.)
- Median net price: $22,453 (+125.3% vs U.S.)
- Median student debt at graduation: $23,470 (+74.7% vs U.S. $13,432); regional median $14,004
- Average completion rate (institutions in state): 63.6%
- Median first-year retention (full-time, 4-yr): 73.0%
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Full profile payload including top-college lists and peer comparisons.
Overview
EDsmart Data summarizes higher-education outcomes for campuses in Milwaukee, Wisconsin—costs, debt, enrollment, completion, earnings, and standout institutions—against 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 | 55.6% | 228,156 |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,967 | $13,432 | 50.3% | 14,484,370 |
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) | $55,173 | 94.1% | 76.2% | 3.3% | — | 81.1% | 0.43 |
| United States | $54,323 | 87.9% | 76.3% | 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 | $20,938 | $14,060 | 44.6% | 50,859 | $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% |
| Wausau | $4,889 | $13,574 | $7,500 | N/A | 3,314 | N/A | N/A |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,967 | $13,432 | 50.3% | 14,484,370 | $54,323 | 87.9% |
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 10 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 10 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 10 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 10 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 10 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 10 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 10 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 10 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 10 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, $288,899, Milwaukee School of Engineering
Milwaukee School of Engineering
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Rank 2, 10-Yr ROI, $211,838, Marquette University
Marquette University
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Rank 3, 10-Yr ROI, $176,056, Alverno College
Alverno College
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Rank 4, 10-Yr ROI, $171,954, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
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Rank 5, 10-Yr ROI, $165,582, Wisconsin Lutheran College
Wisconsin Lutheran College
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Rank 6, 10-Yr ROI, $134,182, Mount Mary University
Mount Mary University
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Rank 7, 10-Yr ROI, $46,448, Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design
Top 10 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 10 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 (+74.7% vs U.S. median $13,432). Regional median: $14,004.
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 (+0.9% 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 (+4.8 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 (+74.7% above the U.S. median of $13,432). 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 +0.9% vs the U.S. campus median ($54,323).
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 87.9% (+4.8 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 76.3%—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%).
FAQ
How many colleges are in Milwaukee?
EDsmart Data analysis: this city profile covers 14 campuses in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with College Scorecard cost or outcomes data.
How much does college cost in Milwaukee?
EDsmart Data analysis: 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 $9,967.
What do graduates earn in Milwaukee?
EDsmart Data analysis: median 10-year earnings for campuses in Milwaukee is $54,827 vs $55,173 for Wisconsin and $54,323 nationally.
What is student debt like for Milwaukee colleges?
EDsmart Data analysis: median completer debt in Milwaukee is $23,470 vs $20,492 for Wisconsin and $13,432 nationally.
What are the best colleges in Milwaukee?
EDsmart Data analysis: 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?
EDsmart Data analysis: 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