Best colleges for Engineering
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Engineering by graduate earnings are University of Maryland-College Park ($80,931), Ohio State University ($78,734) and Northeastern University ($75,253), 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%.
- University of Maryland-College Park (College Park, MD): $80,931, 34 graduates a year
- Ohio State University (Columbus, OH): $78,734, 38 graduates a year
- Northeastern University (Boston, MA): $75,253, 660 graduates a year
- Purdue University (West Lafayette, IN): $74,668, 153 graduates a year
- California State University - Chico (Chico, CA): $74,204, 32 graduates a year
Compare 109 U.S. colleges offering Engineering by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 38 states.
Engineering programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $73,153 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 14.99 and the Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors occupation (BLS SOC).
About Engineering programs
The Engineering program focuses on applying scientific theories, mathematical methods, and empirical evidence to develop technological solutions. Students in this field will learn to balance technical requirements with safety, human factors, and cost considerations, preparing them for a diverse range of engineering challenges. This program is ideal for individuals interested in problem-solving and innovation in various engineering domains.
In this program, students will develop essential skills such as critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication. Coursework will cover topics related to engineering and technology, safety regulations, and management principles, equipping students with the knowledge necessary to evaluate product designs and conduct safety assessments.
Top 15 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 | University of Maryland-College Park College Park, MD Public · Bachelor's degree | $80,931 | 34 | 89% | — | $18,750 |
| 2 | Ohio State University Columbus, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $78,734 | 38 | 88% | — | $22,000 |
| 3 | Northeastern University Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $75,253 | 660 | 91% | $18,925 | $22,512 |
| 4 | Purdue University West Lafayette, IN Public · Bachelor's degree | $74,668 | 153 | 83% | — | $20,000 |
| 5 | California State University - Chico Chico, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $74,204 | 32 | 63% | — | $23,000 |
| 6 | Pennsylvania State University University Park, PA Public · Bachelor's degree | $73,153 | 77 | 86% | — | $26,000 |
| 7 | Oregon State University Corvallis, OR Public · Bachelor's degree | $71,549 | 21 | 70% | — | $31,000 |
| 8 | Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MS Public · Bachelor's degree | $68,045 | 44 | 67% | — | $19,469 |
| 9 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $67,007 | 35 | 81% | — | $22,875 |
| 10 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $56,522 | 71 | 86% | — | $19,250 |
| 11 | Stanford University Stanford, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $49,741 | 108 | 92% | $12,032 | $7,500 |
| 12 | Colorado State University Pueblo Pueblo, CO Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $76,059 | 8 | 40% | — | $31,000 |
| 13 | Pennsylvania State University - World Campus University Park, PA Public · Bachelor's degree Online | $73,153 | 75 | 34% | — | $26,000 |
| 14 | Indiana University - Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $69,685 | 2 | 54% | — | $27,000 |
| 15 | Johnson & Wales University - Providence Providence, RI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $49,233 | 2 | 55% | $31,634 | $27,000 |
Top certificate or associate program
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 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA Public · Certificate | $80,250 | 58 | 85% | — | $27,000 |
Specializations within Engineering
1 of the 1 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 14.99 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
Offered across 38 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 17-2111, Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Engineering program can expect a positive job outlook, with an annual growth rate of 4.4% and approximately 1,500 annual job openings. The median wage for engineering professionals is $109,660, and most positions require a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Engineering
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 14.99.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 14.99 (Engineering, Other) maps to 4 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 |
| 17-2111 | Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectorsprimary |
| 17-2199 | Engineers, All Other |
| 25-1032 | Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Engineering programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Investigate industrial accidents, injuries, or occupational diseases to determine causes and preventive measures.
- Conduct research to evaluate safety levels for products.
- Evaluate product designs for safety.
- Conduct or coordinate worker training in areas such as safety laws and regulations, hazardous condition monitoring, and use of safety equipment.
- Maintain and apply knowledge of current policies, regulations, and industrial processes.
- Recommend procedures for detection, prevention, and elimination of physical, chemical, or other product hazards.
Common questions
What is the focus of the Engineering program?+
The program focuses on applying scientific and mathematical principles to design and analyze technological solutions.
What skills will I gain from this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication, among others.
What is the job outlook for engineering graduates?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 4.4%.
What is the typical education required for a career in engineering?+
Most engineering positions require a Bachelor's degree.
How much do Engineering graduates earn?+
Engineering graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $73,153, College Scorecard (2019); the Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors occupation pays about $119,770 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Engineering?+
Engineering maps to CIP 14.99 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.
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