Materials Engineering at Drexel University

At $78,623 starting and $31,000 in debt, Drexel's Materials Engineering program delivers strong absolute returns even if it doesn't dominate Pennsylvania's small field of four programs. That 0.39 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates earn back their entire debt load in less than six months—a favorable position that beats 95% of Materials Engineering programs nationally. While Drexel sits at the state's 60th percentile (essentially tied with the $76,797 PA median), it's worth noting that even Lehigh's supposedly elite program only reaches $74,971, trailing Drexel by nearly $4,000.

The numbers suggest Drexel's cooperative education model, which integrates paid work experience into the degree, translates into measurable career advantages. Earnings climb to $86,535 by year four—a solid 10% gain that indicates graduates are building on strong foundations rather than peaking early. The $31,000 debt figure sits well below both state and national medians, landing in the 5th percentile nationally, meaning 95% of comparable programs saddle students with more debt.

For an accessible program (78% admission rate) that doesn't claim Ivy-adjacent prestige, these outcomes represent practical value. Your child would graduate with manageable debt and earnings that exceed national benchmarks from day one, with room to grow. In a field where only 63 schools nationwide offer this degree, Drexel provides reliable access to a specialized career without the financial burden that often accompanies private universities.