Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
60.4% Acceptance Rate
Milwaukee School of Engineering — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
60.4%Acceptance Rate
3.65Avg GPA
1283Avg SAT
$60,439Annual Cost
$89,070Grad Salary
22.7%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
60.4%
Avg GPA
3.65
Avg SAT
1283
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1243–1313
Need-Based Aid
22.7% receive Pell
Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE), founded in 1903, is a nationally recognized leader in applied STEM education with strengths in engineering, nursing, and business.
The compact 22-acre urban campus includes the Diercks Computational Science Hall with supercomputing resources, the Grohmann Museum's industrial art collection, and the new Dwight and Dian Diercks Computational Science Hall. MSOE's 'Applied Learning' model connects classroom theory with real-world projects from freshman year.
Milwaukee School of Engineering Acceptance Rate
Milwaukee School of Engineering is moderately selective — 60.4% of applicants are admitted — with room for a well-rounded, if imperfect, transcript.
What MSOE Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 60.4% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.65 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.45 – 3.64
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.20
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Milwaukee School of Engineering Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark November 1 for Milwaukee School of Engineering (Early Action — other plans are listed below), with decisions typically out by December 15.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 92 days left — Early Action
Early Action
November 1
Decision by: December 15
Regular Decision
February 1
Decision by: March 15
💡 The scholarship deadline (December 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
MSOE GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at MSOE is 3.65. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.35 and 3.65? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.85–4.05.MSOE GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective, with solid academic performance as the expectation.
Recommended Strategy: A clear, defined strength in one activity or research area matters more than breadth.
This range is a rough map — where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.65 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.45 – 3.64
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.25 – 3.44
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.24
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- No personal essay or recommendation letter required or recommended for general admission.
- Test-optional; roughly 40% of admitted students submit test scores at all.
- Offers an optional, genuine full-time Co-op work experience spanning a semester through the Career Connections Center.
- Strong industry partnerships drive high job-placement rates in engineering, business, nursing, and computer science.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself — a 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average — the trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at MSOE
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Milwaukee School of Engineering's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at MSOE — landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into MSOE Without SAT or ACT?
MSOE neither requires nor recommends test scores. Submit yours only if it's above the state or national average — otherwise, leaving it off works in your favor.
Milwaukee School of Engineering Average SAT Score: 1283
Admitted students at Milwaukee School of Engineering average a 1283 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1283 — Slightly Competitive
A 1283 average tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1313 SAT) to stand out. Below average? Milwaukee School of Engineering allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1243? A retake is worth it at MSOE — two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 1283 | 1243 | 1313 |
A score under 1243 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1313+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1300
Can I get into Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) with a 1300 SAT?
At 1300, your SAT is squarely in MSOE's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file — GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for MSOE
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
MSOE takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Know the essay/recommendation is genuinely not needed
MSOE doesn't require or recommend either for general admission. Redirect that energy toward GPA and course rigor, since the essay won't be part of the file.
Understand this is test-optional but grade-driven
Only about 40% of admitted students submit test scores at all. A strong GPA in a rigorous STEM-heavy course load carries real weight in place of standardized testing.
Ask specifically about the optional Co-op program
MSOE offers a genuine full-time Co-op work experience spanning a semester, distinct from shorter internships. Ask how to enroll specifically - it's elective, not automatic.
Verify program-specific requirements directly
While general admission is essay-free and test-optional, specific majors or scholarship consideration may still require additional materials - confirm with the specific department rather than assuming blanket rules apply everywhere.
Expert Insight:
Because general admission is essay-free and increasingly test-optional, some applicants underestimate how GPA-driven MSOE's review actually is. A weak GPA isn't offset by activities or a personal statement here the way it might be at a more holistic-review school.
MSOE Profile
Full Name
Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE)
City
Milwaukee
State
Wisconsin
ZIP Code
53202-3109
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a MSOE Degree Worth It?
At $60,439/year against a $89,070 median graduate salary, MSOE is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation — the numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $68,800, and graduates see a 3.06% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from MSOE Cost?
Listed tuition runs $60,439/year at MSOE; factor in Pell and federal grant aid and most students land typically much lower.
At MSOE, 22.7% receive a Pell Grant and 61.1% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming MSOE on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a MSOE Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, MSOE graduates report a median income of $89,070, about 119% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Milwaukee School of Engineering. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 1251 | 26 |
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 1261 | 26 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| Biola University | La Mirada, CA | 1258 | 27 |
| Eckerd College | Saint Petersburg, FL | 1256 | 27 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach | Daytona Beach, FL | 1256 | 27 |
| Florida Southern College | Lakeland, FL | 1263 | 28 |
| University of South Florida | Tampa, FL | 1235 | 27 |
| Covenant College | Lookout Mountain, GA | 1254 | 27 |
| Bradley University | Peoria, IL | 1237 | 28 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Milwaukee School of Engineering. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 1287 | 28 |
| Point Loma Nazarene University | San Diego, CA | 1278 | 26 |
| Thomas Aquinas College | Santa Paula, CA | 1277 | 29 |
| United States Coast Guard Academy | New London, CT | 1290 | 28 |
| University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL | 1277 | 27 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Milwaukee School of Engineering. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama in Huntsville | Huntsville, AL | 1321 | 28 |
| Auburn University | Auburn, AL | 1318 | 28 |
| Hendrix College | Conway, AR | 1336 | 29 |
| Chapman University | Orange, CA | 1353 | 30 |
| University of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA | 1313 | 29 |
Degree Programs at MSOE
Bachelor Degree Programs
Masters Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About MSOE Admissions
Graduates of Milwaukee School of Engineering earn a high median salary — $89,070/year, varying by field.
Tuition at Milwaukee School of Engineering runs high — roughly $60,439+/year — so financial aid planning matters.
22.7% receive a Pell Grant here, below the ~35% national average — Milwaukee School of Engineering skews toward higher-income students, though merit aid may still be worth checking.
Milwaukee School of Engineering's acceptance rate is 60.4%, comparatively higher than most selective universities — admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Milwaukee School of Engineering students is 3.65, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.35 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Milwaukee School of Engineering. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.25 or below makes admission tougher at Milwaukee School of Engineering, but strong test scores, activities, and essays — plus AP/IB coursework — can still keep you in contention.
Milwaukee School of Engineering weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1283, and within the 1243–1313 range, keeps you competitive.
Milwaukee School of Engineering's deadline is November 1 (Early Action), with decisions out by December 15.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before December 1, 2026 — that's Milwaukee School of Engineering's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out — plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
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