Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at Manhattan University

Manhattan University's electrical engineering program puts graduates in the bottom fifth nationally for earnings, though they perform closer to the New York state median—landing around the 40th percentile among 27 programs statewide. Starting at $71,000 and growing to $82,000 by year four represents solid middle-class outcomes, but these figures trail the typical NY electrical engineering graduate by about $7,000 initially. The gap widens when comparing to the state's elite programs: Cornell and Syracuse graduates earn $20,000-30,000 more right out of school. For context, Manhattan's more accessible admissions (78% acceptance rate) and lower debt load ($22,750 versus $24,000+ statewide) suggest this serves students who might not gain entry to higher-ranked engineering schools.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.32 is manageable, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off loans in about four months of gross salary. However, the small sample size here—fewer than 30 graduates—makes these numbers less reliable than data from larger programs. Year-to-year fluctuations with tiny cohorts can paint misleading pictures of typical outcomes.

For families weighing this option, the core question is whether Manhattan's engineering degree justifies similar tuition to schools producing significantly higher-earning graduates. If your student has been admitted to programs like RPI or University of Rochester, those investments appear stronger. Manhattan works best as a backup option where the lower debt burden and reasonable starting salary offset the earnings disadvantage.