Computer Engineering at Butler University

Indiana's computer engineering programs show a wide earnings spread, with top performers commanding over $90,000 in first-year salaries while others hover below $70,000. Based on comparable programs statewide, Butler's engineering graduates likely earn around $75,000—solidly middle-of-the-pack and slightly below the national median of $79,000. The estimated $26,000 in debt yields a manageable 0.35 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in about four months of gross earnings.

The real question is whether Butler's liberal arts environment and smaller program size deliver advantages that offset not being Purdue or Rose-Hulman. Those flagship engineering schools show clear salary premiums, likely reflecting stronger industry pipelines and name recognition in technical recruiting. Butler's 86% admission rate and modest SAT averages suggest it's accessible, but peer programs at similar price points appear to produce comparable outcomes. With only 14% of students receiving Pell grants, you're looking at a program that serves primarily middle-to-upper-income families who can absorb the cost.

For a motivated student who wants engineering in a smaller, more personalized setting, the debt-to-earnings picture works. But if your child is competitive for Purdue or Rose-Hulman, the $15,000-20,000 salary difference compounds significantly over a career. Butler's value proposition depends heavily on fit rather than financial advantage.