Computer Engineering at Boston University

Boston University's Computer Engineering program outperforms most schools nationally but trails stronger programs within Massachusetts. Graduates earn $94,000 in their first year—well above the national median of $79,000—yet this places BU below heavy-hitters like Northeastern ($99,500) and UMass Amherst ($89,300) in the state. The 60th percentile ranking among Massachusetts programs suggests parents are paying for BU's prestige without getting the state's best engineering outcomes.

The debt picture offers reassurance: $26,866 represents just 29% of first-year earnings, making this one of the more manageable debt loads you'll find in Boston. That ratio is substantially better than most programs, and graduates see healthy 17% earnings growth by year four, reaching $110,000. For a highly selective school (11% admission rate), this translates to solid financial fundamentals even if the outcomes don't quite justify the premium over state universities.

The calculation here depends on whether BU's urban campus and private school experience matter to your family. Financially, UMass Amherst delivers comparable earnings at lower cost, while Northeastern's co-op model produces higher graduate salaries. BU sits in the middle—offering strong outcomes without leading the pack. If your student is already admitted and excited about BU specifically, the debt burden won't be crushing. But if choosing between Massachusetts engineering programs on outcomes alone, the numbers suggest looking at schools ranked higher in the state.