Engineering-Related Fields at Illinois Institute of Technology

First-year earnings of $72,164 place Illinois Tech's engineering-related program right at the state median and modestly above the national benchmark of $68,919. What's less typical is the earnings trajectory: while most engineering fields show steady growth, graduates from similar programs appear to earn *less* four years out ($67,250) than in their first year—a 7% decline that's worth understanding. This could reflect the nature of "engineering-related" work (which includes roles like technicians or sales engineers) rather than traditional engineering positions, or it might suggest graduates are taking time for graduate school or career pivots.

The estimated debt load of $26,975—derived from comparable programs at similar private technical institutions—produces a manageable 0.37 ratio to first-year earnings, well within the range most financial aid advisors consider reasonable. If your student actually borrows near this amount, monthly loan payments would consume roughly 4-5% of typical starting salaries, leaving substantial breathing room.

The real question is whether "engineering-related" aligns with your child's goals. These programs often prepare students for specialized technical roles that don't always follow traditional engineering career paths, which could explain both the strong starting salary and the unusual earnings pattern. Before committing to Illinois Tech's price point, clarify exactly what career outcomes this specific program produces—job titles, employer types, graduate school placement—since the earnings estimates can only tell you what happens at peer institutions, not what this particular program delivers.