Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering at Cornell University

Cornell's environmental engineering program places graduates at the 95th percentile nationally for earnings while keeping debt remarkably low—just $13,102 compared to the $23,000 national median. That 0.19 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe less than three months of their starting salary, one of the best financial profiles you'll find in engineering. Within New York, however, the picture is less exceptional: Cornell's outcomes land at the 60th percentile, trailing Clarkson University by about $2,000 but still beating SUNY Buffalo by $12,000.

The earnings trajectory shows steady growth from $69,558 to nearly $77,000 over four years—a healthy 11% increase that suggests graduates move into more senior roles rather than plateau. For families concerned about Cornell's sticker price, many students here graduate with manageable debt, and the 8% admission rate means your child would be among highly competitive peers in a rigorous program.

One important caveat: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes may vary more than these medians suggest. Still, the combination of strong starting salaries, minimal debt burden, and Cornell's engineering reputation makes this a financially sound choice, particularly if your child can secure similar aid packages that keep borrowing in this range.