Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at Bethel University

Is electrical engineering at a smaller private university worth roughly the same investment as programs at Minnesota's larger public institutions? Based on comparable programs across the state, first-year earnings of around $72,000 suggest Bethel's engineering graduates likely land in the middle of Minnesota's range—matching what larger schools like Minnesota State-Mankato produce, though trailing the flagship Twin Cities campus by about $8,000.

The estimated $26,000 in debt translates to a manageable 0.36 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe roughly a third of their first-year income. That's better than the national median debt for engineering programs and positions Bethel favorably among Minnesota schools, where debt levels typically hover around $27,000. Engineering credentials generally deliver strong financial returns, and these estimates align with that pattern—though it's worth noting that similar programs in Minnesota produce a wide spread, from $67,000 to nearly $80,000 in first-year earnings.

The challenge here is that with only seven engineering programs statewide and Bethel's small cohort size, you're placing a bet on outcomes derived from peer institutions rather than Bethel's own track record. If you're drawn to Bethel's smaller classes and faith-based environment, the financial projections suggest it won't likely penalize your child's earning potential compared to mid-tier state schools. But if engineering salary trajectory is the primary concern, the actual outcomes data from Minnesota's larger programs provides more certainty about what to expect.