Engineering Technology at Drexel University

Drexel's Engineering Technology program produces graduates who significantly outperform their peers nationally, with first-year earnings ranking in the 82nd percentile—$6,000 above the national median. The debt load of $31,000 translates to a 0.47 ratio against first-year income, meaning graduates owe less than half their starting salary. This is genuinely low debt for an engineering degree, particularly at a private university. Four years out, earnings jump to $87,840, showing 32% growth that suggests graduates are advancing into supervisory or specialized technical roles.

The caveat here matters: this data reflects fewer than 30 graduates, so these numbers might not hold for every cohort. But the pattern—strong starting salaries, manageable debt, consistent upward trajectory—aligns with what you'd expect from Drexel's well-established co-op program, which gives engineering students paid work experience before graduation. While Pennsylvania state rankings place this at the 60th percentile (middle of the pack locally), there are only two programs in the state to compare against, making that metric less meaningful than the strong national standing.

For parents weighing costs at a school with 78% admission, this is a practical path into technical careers without the financial burden typical of private universities. The combination of immediate earning power and reasonable debt creates breathing room for graduates to build careers without being house-poor from loan payments.