Manufacturing Engineering at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Cal Poly Pomona's Manufacturing Engineering program reports impressive first-year earnings of $79,549—well above the national median of $72,154 and ranking in the 95th percentile nationally. The $17,083 median debt is also substantially lower than the national average, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.21. That means graduates typically owe about 2.5 months of salary, an exceptionally manageable burden.

However, context matters here. Among California's seven manufacturing engineering programs, this sits exactly at the state median for both earnings and debt. The state's strong manufacturing sector and higher cost of living mean these numbers, while excellent nationally, are fairly standard within California. More concerning: the modest 5% earnings growth to $83,569 by year four suggests limited salary progression in the early career years.

The real caveat is sample size—fewer than 30 graduates reported data, which can make these numbers less reliable. That said, for families looking at in-state tuition and a well-regarded polytechnic institution with a 74% acceptance rate, this appears to deliver solid manufacturing career access without crushing debt. Just recognize that the initial salary may represent close to the ceiling for the first several years, and you're seeing typical outcomes for California, not exceptional ones.