Excellent Reputation and Rankings
Students come to MSOE because of its focus on laboratory experience and career practice, expert faculty dedicated to student learning, its small college feeling within a vibrant downtown neighborhood, extremely high placement rates for graduates and the success of its alumni.
MSOE is consistently ranked highly by a number of organizations, and while this is gratifying, it is important to note that rankings should not be overemphasized by students or their families during the college selection process. Choosing a college is an individual decision that should be made by students and families based on the student’s individual needs.
Here are some of the recognitions MSOE has received:
U.S. News & World Report (2025)
- 10th Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs overall in the U.S.
- 7th Best Civil Engineering Program in the U.S.
- 7th Best Computer Engineering Program in the U.S.
- 11th Best Mechanical Engineering Program in the U.S.
- 13th Best Electrical Engineering Program in the U.S.
- 2nd Best University in the Midwest
- 2nd Best Value University in the Midwest
- 20th Best College for Veterans in the Midwest (tie)
- 6th Most Innovative University in the Midwest (tie)
- 193rd in Undergraduate Computer Science Programs in the U.S. (tie)
- 218th Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program in the U.S. (tie)
- 34th Top Performer in Social Mobility (tie) (a measure of how well schools graduate federal Pell Grant recipients)
Wall Street Journal
- Best Colleges in the U.S. (#165 out of 500) (2025)
- Best U.S. Colleges for High Salaries (#12 out of 500) (2025)
Forbes
- America’s Top Colleges (every year since 2008)
Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce
- In a report entitled "A First Try at ROI: Ranking 4,500 Colleges," MSOE was at the top of the list, offering the highest ROI of all colleges and universities in Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota that offer bachelor's degrees.
Money Magazine
- Best Colleges in America, ranked by value (2024)
Princeton Review
- Best in the Midwest (MSOE has been on this list every year since 2003)
- Best Online Nursing School Master's Program (2024)
PayScale Inc.
- Highest average early and mid-career salaries of any college or university in Wisconsin, 129th highest in the U.S. (2023)
- Highest return on investment (ROI) of any college or university in Wisconsin, 74th best in U.S. (2024)
College Choice
- 20 Best Software Engineering Programs for 2023: MSOE was named sixth best bachelor’s degree in software engineering programs in the United States
- 35 Best Actuarial Science Degrees for 2023: MSOE is second best actuarial science program in the United States
Design News
Military Friendly® School
- 2022-23 Military Friendly® School by VIQTORY (every year since 2013)
Niche
- #2 Best Value College in Wisconsin (2024)
- #1 Best College Locations in Wisconsin (2024)
- #4 Best Small College in Wisconsin (2024)
- #5 Top Private Universities in Wisconsin (2024)
- #7 Best Colleges in Wisconsin (2024)
- #2 Best Colleges for Computer Science in Wisconsin (2024)
Nursing Schools Almanac
SmartAsset
- MSOE graduates enjoy the highest average starting salary and tops the list of the 2023 Best Value Colleges in Wisconsin according to results from a SmartAsset survey. This marks the eighth year MSOE has led the state.
WalletHub
- MSOE was among the top-performing schools in the United States in WalletHub’s 2024 College & University Rankings. Out of 300 ranked schools, MSOE was 2nd in Wisconsin, 82nd overall, and 18th for career outcomes.
