Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at Clarkson University

Clarkson's electrical engineering program produces graduates who earn solidly in the middle of the pack nationally, but fall below the New York median—ranking in just the 40th percentile among the state's 27 programs. Starting at $77,940, graduates earn slightly above the national average but trail competitors like RPI and Syracuse by roughly $6,000-$7,000 annually. The modest 11% earnings growth to $86,330 by year four suggests steady but unremarkable career progression.

The financial picture offers some reassurance. At $26,926, debt sits below both national and state medians, creating a manageable 0.35 debt-to-earnings ratio. For an engineering degree, this means graduates can realistically pay down their loans while building savings. The relatively high 77% admission rate and accessible SAT profile (1307) indicate Clarkson provides an attainable path to engineering careers for students who might not qualify for more selective programs.

The core tradeoff: You're paying for an established engineering degree that delivers reliable employment outcomes, not exceptional ones. If your child can gain admission to Cornell or RPI, those programs show significantly stronger earnings. But Clarkson provides a legitimate engineering education with reasonable debt for students seeking entry into the field. The value depends heavily on whether more competitive New York engineering programs are realistic alternatives.