Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at Merrimack College

In a state dominated by engineering powerhouses like MIT and Northeastern, Merrimack's program lands graduates at $79,659—which actually exceeds the national median but trails the Massachusetts median of $82,798. While debt figures for this specific program are estimated from comparable programs in the state (roughly $26,000), the resulting debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.33 suggests manageable repayment: graduates would owe about a third of their first-year salary.

The real question is positioning. Merrimack sits in the middle tier of Massachusetts engineering schools, with first-year earnings about $13,000 below nearby WPI or Wentworth but performing decently against the national field. For families weighing value, this program delivers solid engineering outcomes without the premium price tag or competitive admissions of top-tier programs. The 74% admission rate means accessibility that MIT or Northeastern don't offer.

The estimated debt figure deserves some caution—it's based on peer programs at similar Massachusetts institutions rather than actual Merrimack graduate data. But even if actual debt runs higher, the strong starting salary provides cushion. If your child wants an engineering career and this school fits academically, the earnings trajectory looks sound enough to support the investment, though you shouldn't expect the salary boost that comes with the state's most competitive programs.