Best colleges for Engineering
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Engineering by graduate earnings are Franklin W Olin College of Engineering ($109,455), Harvey Mudd College ($92,491) and Brown University ($86,416), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Franklin W Olin College of Engineering (Needham, MA): $109,455, 37 graduates a year
- Harvey Mudd College (Claremont, CA): $92,491, 66 graduates a year
- Brown University (Providence, RI): $86,416, 106 graduates a year
- McNeese State University (Lake Charles, LA): $75,566, 30 graduates a year
- Michigan State University (East Lansing, MI): $75,058, 83 graduates a year
Compare 662 U.S. colleges offering Engineering by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 47 states.
Engineering programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $68,331 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 14.01 and the Engineers, All Other occupation (BLS SOC).
About Engineering programs
The Engineering program, formally known as Engineering, General, encompasses a broad range of disciplines that apply scientific theories and mathematical methods to develop technological solutions. This program is ideal for students interested in designing, creating, and analyzing systems that meet various technical and practical requirements. Students will explore various branches of engineering, including biomedical, chemical, civil, electrical, materials, and mechanical engineering. This program is designed for aspiring engineers who seek to balance technical requirements with considerations of safety, regulations, and cost. With a focus on both theoretical and practical applications, students will be well-prepared for the challenges of the engineering profession in today's technology-driven world.
In the Engineering program, students will gain core knowledge in scientific principles and mathematical methods. Coursework typically includes subjects related to various engineering disciplines, equipping students with the skills necessary to tackle complex engineering problems and develop innovative solutions.
Top 25 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Franklin W Olin College of Engineering Needham, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $109,455 | 37 | 96% | $18,499 | $14,512 |
| 2 | Harvey Mudd College Claremont, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $92,491 | 66 | 92% | $22,858 | $22,240 |
| 3 | Brown University Providence, RI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $86,416 | 106 | 96% | $14,644 | $14,500 |
| 4 | McNeese State University Lake Charles, LA Public · Bachelor's degree | $75,566 | 30 | 47% | — | $27,249 |
| 5 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $75,058 | 83 | 81% | — | $22,500 |
| 6 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree | $74,328 | 180 | 68% | — | $26,113 |
| 7 | Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TX Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $73,774 | 42 | 86% | $25,823 | $22,944 |
| 8 | Elizabethtown College Elizabethtown, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $73,003 | 39 | 76% | $22,907 | $27,000 |
| 9 | Mercer University Macon, GA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $72,403 | 108 | 70% | $22,641 | $26,000 |
| 10 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC Public · Bachelor's degree | $71,769 | 41 | 85% | — | $30,518 |
| 11 | James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $71,176 | 78 | 80% | — | $25,000 |
| 12 | Calvin University Grand Rapids, MI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $68,852 | 77 | 74% | $22,391 | $23,000 |
| 13 | Minnesota State University - Mankato Mankato, MN Public · Bachelor's degree | $68,044 | 41 | 54% | — | $27,627 |
| 14 | Hope College Holland, MI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $67,410 | 50 | 80% | $21,746 | $27,000 |
| 15 | Oral Roberts University Tulsa, OK Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $66,805 | 30 | 57% | $23,543 | $26,917 |
| 16 | Olivet Nazarene University Bourbonnais, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $66,394 | 32 | 61% | $20,903 | $27,000 |
| 17 | East Carolina University Greenville, NC Public · Bachelor's degree | $65,758 | 75 | 63% | — | $26,978 |
| 18 | Loyola University Maryland Baltimore, MD Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $64,116 | 26 | 79% | $26,585 | $27,000 |
| 19 | Geneva College Beaver Falls, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $62,486 | 28 | 61% | $19,540 | $27,000 |
| 20 | Western Carolina University Cullowhee, NC Public · Bachelor's degree | $62,244 | 35 | 60% | — | $25,550 |
| 21 | Robert Morris University Moon Township, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $61,163 | 37 | 66% | $24,175 | $26,000 |
| 22 | Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $55,437 | 22 | 76% | — | $20,000 |
| 23 | College of Staten Island CUNY Staten Island, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $48,898 | 43 | 34% | — | — |
| 24 | University of California-Davis Davis, CA Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $82,956 | 2 | 86% | — | $15,000 |
| 25 | Wentworth Institute of Technology Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $78,211 | 8 | 68% | $32,713 | $27,000 |
Top 6 certificate and associate programs
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tidewater Community College Norfolk, VA Public · Associate degree | $68,555 | 64 | 32% | — | $12,250 |
| 2 | UCNJ Union College of Union County, New Jersey Cranford, NJ Public · Associate degree | $27,813 | 58 | 35% | — | $8,508 |
| 3 | Northern Virginia Community College Annandale, VA Public · Associate degree | $16,790 | 223 | 33% | — | $9,500 |
| 4 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA Public · Certificate Small program | $72,825 | 17 | 85% | — | $19,500 |
| 5 | Austin Community College District Austin, TX Public · Associate degree | $43,183 | 64 | 20% | — | $15,375 |
| 6 | CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College New York, NY Public · Associate degree | $30,518 | 43 | 25% | — | — |
Specializations within Engineering
3 of the 3 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 14.01 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
Offered across 47 states
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 17-2199, Engineers, All Other, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Engineering program can expect a positive job outlook, with an annual growth rate of about 2.1% and approximately 9,300 annual job openings. The median wage for engineering professionals is $117,750, and a typical educational requirement for entry into the field is a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Engineering
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 14.01.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 14.01 (Engineering, General) maps to 3 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-9041 | Architectural and Engineering Managers |
| 17-2199 | Engineers, All Otherprimary |
| 25-1032 | Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Common questions
What specializations are available in the Engineering program?+
The Engineering program offers specializations such as Engineering, General, Pre-Engineering, and Applied Engineering.
What is the typical education required for a career in engineering?+
A Bachelor's degree is typically required for most engineering positions.
What is the job outlook for engineering graduates?+
The job outlook for engineering graduates is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 2.1%.
What is the median wage for engineering professionals?+
The median wage for engineering professionals is $117,750.
How much do Engineering graduates earn?+
Engineering graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $68,331, College Scorecard (2019); the Engineers, All Other occupation pays about $125,330 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Engineering?+
Engineering maps to CIP 14.01 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card