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 (2026)
- #9 Undergraduate Engineering Programs overall in the U.S. among engineering schools whose highest degree is a bachelor’s or master’s (tie)
- 6 Civil Engineering Program in the U.S. (tie)
- #11 Mechanical Engineering Program in the U.S.
- #212 in Undergraduate Computer Science Program in the U.S. (tie)
- #214 Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program in the U.S. (tie)
- #2 in Overall Rank – Regional Universities (Midwest) (tie)
- #4 in Best Value Schools – Regional Universities (Midwest)
- #1 in Best Colleges for Veterans – Regional Universities (Midwest)
- #2 in Most Innovative Schools – Regional Universities (Midwest)
- #7 in Undergraduate Teaching Programs – Regional Universities (Midwest) (tie)
- #41 in Top Performers in Social Mobility – Regional Universities (Midwest) (tie)
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 "Ranking 4,600 Colleges by ROI (2025)" MSOE was at the top of the list, offering the highest ROI of all colleges and universities in Wisconsin and also ranked 50th in the nation.
Money Magazine
- Best Colleges in America, ranked by value (2025)
Princeton Review
- Best in the Midwest (MSOE has been on this list every year since 2003)
- Best Online Nursing School Master's Program (2025)
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
Niche
- #1 Best College Locations in Wisconsin (2026)
- #3 Best Small College in Wisconsin (2026)
- #4 Top Private Universities in Wisconsin (2026)
- #6 Best Colleges in Wisconsin (2026)
Nursing Schools Almanac
WalletHub
- MSOE was among the top-performing schools in the United States in WalletHub’s 2025 College & University Rankings. Out of 300 ranked schools, MSOE was 2nd in Wisconsin, 82nd overall, and 18th for career outcomes.
Washington Monthly
- Best Colleges for Your Tuition (and Tax) Dollars (2025)
- Best Bang for the Buck Midwest College (2025)
- Best Master's University (2025)
