Civil Engineering at Lafayette College

Lafayette's civil engineering graduates start near the Pennsylvania median at $70,391, but here's what matters: they're carrying just $16,000 in debt—roughly 40% less than the state median of $27,000 and among the lowest debt loads in the country for this major. That 0.23 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in under three months of gross salary, giving them significant financial flexibility early in their careers.

The earnings picture is solid if unspectacular. At the 60th percentile in Pennsylvania, Lafayette sits comfortably in the middle of the pack—ahead of Widener but trailing stronger engineering schools like Bucknell and Lehigh by $10,000-15,000. The 26% earnings growth to $88,494 by year four suggests steady career progression, though not the dramatic jumps seen at some programs.

The critical caveat: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so these numbers could shift considerably with a larger sample. That said, the fundamental value proposition—solid engineering outcomes with minimal debt from a selective school—likely holds. For families concerned about debt burden, Lafayette delivers clear upside. If maximizing starting salary is the priority, you're looking at peer schools where graduates earn 10-15% more out of the gate, though they'll be managing substantially higher loan payments.