Architectural Engineering at Drexel University

Drexel's architectural engineering graduates start strong with $76,272 in first-year earnings—outpacing three-quarters of programs nationally. The debt load of $31,000 translates to a comfortable 0.41 ratio, meaning graduates earn more than twice their debt in their first year alone. This is one of the clearest debt-to-earnings pictures you'll find, with debt in the 5th percentile nationally (meaning 95% of programs saddle students with more).

The earnings trajectory tells a more complicated story. While $79,862 by year four represents solid income, the modest 5% growth suggests graduates may be hitting their stride quickly rather than building toward substantially higher mid-career earnings. Among Pennsylvania programs, Drexel sits at the 60th percentile—respectable but not dominant in-state, though with only one program reporting in PA, meaningful state comparisons are limited.

For parents evaluating this investment, the fundamentals are sound: strong starting salaries, manageable debt, and immediate employability. The trade-off is that graduates appear to be entering relatively stable career paths rather than trajectories with steep upward curves. If your child wants technical engineering work with financial security from day one, this program delivers on that promise.