Analysis
A debt load near $27,000 against first-year earnings around $69,000 yields a manageable 0.39 debt-to-earnings ratioβfigures drawn from similar engineering-related programs nationally, given this school's small graduate cohort. Grove City's 0% Pell enrollment and relatively high SAT scores suggest a wealthier student body that may not rely as heavily on loans, though the estimated debt figure here reflects what borrowers at comparable institutions typically carry. Engineering-adjacent fields can vary dramatically in outcomes depending on whether graduates enter technical roles, project management, or consulting, so the national median of $69,000 should be viewed as a midpoint rather than a guarantee.
The practical challenge is that Grove City's actual outcomes for this specific program remain unknown due to small sample sizes. Pennsylvania has only four schools offering bachelor's degrees in engineering-related fields, and none have publicly reported data, which makes state-level comparisons impossible. Parents should recognize they're making a decision based on what peer programs typically produce rather than demonstrated results from this institution. The estimated numbers suggest reasonable financial fundamentals, but confirming whether Grove City's career services, industry connections, and curriculum translate those fundamentals into actual job placements requires direct inquiry with the department about recent graduate outcomes and employer relationships.
Where Grove City College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all engineering-related fields bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Engineering-Related Fields bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally
Scroll to see more β
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $20,890 | $68,919* | β | $26,975* | β | |
| $62,484 | $100,788* | $141,630 | β* | β | |
| $60,952 | $79,755* | $94,324 | $26,975* | 0.34 | |
| $15,988 | $76,563* | $82,682 | $23,756* | 0.31 | |
| β | $76,149* | $84,356 | $31,000* | 0.41 | |
| $12,051 | $76,149* | $84,356 | $31,000* | 0.41 | |
| National Median | β | $68,919* | β | $25,368* | 0.37 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with engineering-related fields graduates
Architectural and Engineering Managers
Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
Industrial Production Managers
Quality Control Systems Managers
Geothermal Production Managers
Biofuels Production Managers
Biomass Power Plant Managers
Hydroelectric Production Managers
Facilities Managers
Security Managers
Industrial Engineers
Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Grove City College, approximately 0% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 31 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.