Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

MIT's environmental engineering program carries an estimated $27,000 in debt—higher than the national median for this degree—while projected first-year earnings of roughly $65,000 track with typical outcomes across the country. For one of the world's most selective engineering schools (5% admission rate, 1553 average SAT), that earnings figure might surprise parents expecting a significant MIT premium, at least in year one.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42 falls within reasonable bounds for engineering degrees, suggesting graduates could manage their loans even if starting salaries don't reflect MIT's prestige immediately. Engineering careers often accelerate after initial positions, and the MIT network and research opportunities may produce advantages that don't show up in first-year Department of Education data. Still, these estimates—drawn from national peer programs since this specific program's graduate cohort is too small to report—can't tell you whether MIT's particular curriculum or connections justify higher debt than comparable programs.

The key question is whether MIT's reputation in environmental engineering translates to career outcomes that outpace the national average over time. If your child is paying significantly more than $27,000 (through additional private loans beyond federal aid), verify that the return justifies the investment, particularly since even graduates from less selective environmental engineering programs are hitting similar starting salaries.