Civil Engineering at Manhattan University

Manhattan University's civil engineering program punches significantly above its weight—95th percentile nationally—but operates in a state where strong engineering programs are the norm. First-year graduates earn $75,290, trailing only Cornell among New York's engineering schools and outpacing national figures by nearly $6,000. That 60th percentile state ranking reflects just how competitive New York's engineering landscape is, not any weakness in this program.

The $27,000 median debt is remarkably manageable for engineering, sitting well below both state and national medians. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.36, graduates can realistically pay off loans in under two years if they prioritize it. The 21% earnings bump to $90,904 by year four follows typical engineering career progression and keeps pace with the field's strong mid-career prospects.

For families seeking a solid engineering program without the pressure-cooker admissions or massive debt of elite institutions, this represents excellent value. Your child gets outcomes that rival or exceed schools with half Manhattan's admission rate, while maintaining financial flexibility after graduation. The robust sample size confirms these aren't outlier results—this is what typical graduates actually earn.