Engineering at North Carolina State University at Raleigh

NC State's engineering program delivers solid, industry-standard outcomes at a reasonable price. Graduates earn about $72,000 in their first year—roughly $3,000 above the national median and $3,000 above the NC state median. While that 60th percentile ranking among North Carolina programs suggests it's middle-of-the-pack in the state (behind UNC Asheville but ahead of ECU and Western Carolina), the more important story is the debt picture. At just over $30,000, graduates carry only slightly more debt than typical engineering majors while earning more than most, landing this program in the 5th percentile nationally for debt. That's exceptionally low borrowing for a flagship engineering degree.

The 0.43 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe roughly five months' salary—a manageable burden that positions them well for career advancement. Given NC State's strong industry connections in the Research Triangle and its solid admission standards (40% acceptance rate, 1380 average SAT), students are getting access to a well-regarded program without overextending financially.

For parents weighing options, this represents a straightforward value: not the highest-earning engineering program in North Carolina, but one that balances solid starting salaries with controlled debt. The moderate sample size adds some uncertainty, but the overall picture shows a program that does exactly what a flagship state university engineering degree should do—launch careers without financial strain.