Best Colleges in Milwaukee

Questions About Going to College in Milwaukee

How are the career opportunities for college graduates in this city?

Hit hard by the recession, employment across metropolitan Milwaukee reached its low point in 2010. Nowadays, Wisconsin’s largest city shows signs of improvement. The Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce reports gains in nonfarm employment in 2015, with the business and professional services sector registering the strongest increase (up 5.5 percent).* Financial services and health care remain important to the economy, while an expansion project Milwaukee wouldn’t be complete without mention of its world-famous breweries. MillerCoors and others employ workers in positions ranging from lab techs to tour guides.

What major companies/industries are hiring what type of graduates/skills in this city?

Lucky you, health science grads. Aurora Health Care alone employs more than 21,000 people, and other opportunities exist with Columbia St. Mary’s and Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare. Things look promising for financial types too as BMO Harris and U.S. Bank seek talent. Love motorcycles? Maybe you’re destined for a job at Harley-Davidson’s corporate headquarters as a technology design lead or a supply chain analyst. Or play your cards right and you might end up as a banquet manager or a purchasing coordinator at Potawatomi Hotel and Casino.

Is Milwaukee more of a college town or a great place to start a career and family?

Home to Marquette University and University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, students dominate some parts of the city. And many choose to stay after graduation. The eastern edge of the city has added nearly 4,000 new residents over the past decade as trendy restaurants and live music at Pabst Theater and Turner Hall draw young adults interested in urban living. Billed as “The Big City of Little Neighborhoods,” Milwaukee also has plenty of places where families can settle. First-time homebuyers may score a relatively affordable bungalow in Bay View, while Whitefish Bay has a reputation for quality schools and community activism.

What do the locals in Milwaukee like to do for fun?

Put some brats on the mini-grill and let the beer flow! Brewers fans rank among the most passionate tailgaters in major league baseball, turning an afternoon game into an all-day experience. Locals also love their community events, leading to Milwaukee’s nickname “City of Festivals.” Grab a plate of steaming hot cheese curds before watching dogs compete at dock diving at the Wisconsin State Fair. Or experience the four-day bash called Bastille Days. With an international marketplace, chef and wine demos, and a 43-foot Eiffel Tower replica, it may be the next best thing to actually visiting France.

What's the dating scene like in Milwaukee? Will I meet my perfect mate?

With about 600,000 people living in Milwaukee and more than 1.5 million in the metro area, the numbers bode well for encountering date material. And with so many events that get everyone out and about, socializing extends far beyond the bar scene. Strike up a conversation between musical acts during the 11 days of Summerfest. Or challenge a fellow Brewers tailgater to a game of “bags” (also known as “cornhole”) – the loser can buy dinner. Looking for some help breaking the ice? Try one of Milwaukee’s Lock and Key Parties. During Happy Hour at select bars, men receive keys and women get locks. Attendees mingle with each other and test out their locks and keys for matches. Or check out It’s Just Lunch Milwaukee, a group that arranges lunch dates for busy professionals.