Analysis
Bradley University's Manufacturing Engineering program lands right at Illinois's median for earnings, but that's not quite the whole story. With only two schools offering this degree in the state, the comparison is limited—and nationally, these graduates earn about $5,000 less than typical manufacturing engineering graduates. The program does manage to keep debt reasonable at $27,000, well below national averages, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.40 that should be manageable for most families.
The real limitation here is the sample size: fewer than 30 graduates means these numbers could shift significantly year to year. What we can say is that the $67,488 starting salary grows to nearly $74,000 by year four, showing steady progression. For a program at a school with a 77% admission rate, these outcomes are respectable, particularly given the manageable debt load.
If your child is choosing between Bradley and out-of-state manufacturing engineering programs with similar admission profiles, the debt advantage here matters. But if they're competitive for programs in the top national tier (where graduates earn closer to $76,000), the earnings gap might be worth addressing directly with Bradley's career services office to understand placement patterns and employer relationships.
Where Bradley University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all manufacturing engineering bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Bradley University graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bradley University | $67,488 | $73,608 | +9% |
| California State Polytechnic University-Pomona | $79,549 | $83,569 | +5% |
| Oregon State University-Cascades Campus | $72,154 | $81,549 | +13% |
| Oregon State University | $72,154 | $81,549 | +13% |
| Brigham Young University | $69,520 | $80,317 | +16% |
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Manufacturing Engineering bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Bradley UniversityPeoria | $39,680 | $67,488 | $73,608 | $27,000 | 0.40 |
 Georgia Southern UniversityStatesboro | $5,905 | $83,438 | — | — | — |
 California State Polytechnic University-PomonaPomona | $7,439 | $79,549 | $83,569 | $17,083 | 0.21 |
 Dunwoody College of TechnologyMinneapolis | $25,659 | $77,857 | — | $34,996 | 0.45 |
 Grand Valley State UniversityAllendale | $14,628 | $76,754 | — | $26,000 | 0.34 |
 Arizona State University Campus ImmersionTempe | $12,051 | $74,119 | — | $24,253 | 0.33 |
| National Median | — | $72,154 | — | $21,457 | 0.30 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with manufacturing engineering graduates
Architectural and Engineering Managers
Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
Industrial Engineers
Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists
Validation Engineers
Manufacturing Engineers
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary
Cost Estimators
Engineers, All Other
Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar
Mechatronics Engineers
Microsystems Engineers
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Bradley University, approximately 29% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 21 graduates with reported earnings and 20 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.