Civil Engineering at Northeastern University

Northeastern's civil engineering graduates command some of the highest starting salaries in the nation—$76,362 puts them in the 95th percentile nationally—but within Massachusetts, they're solidly middle of the pack. The state is home to several strong engineering programs, including Worcester Polytechnic and Wentworth, where graduates earn similar amounts. For the roughly $25,000 in debt most students carry, the return looks solid: the 0.32 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates earn more than three times their debt in their first year alone. That's manageable even with Boston's high cost of living.

The wrinkle here is value relative to selectivity. With a 6% admission rate and average SAT scores above 1500, Northeastern admits students who could likely gain admission to engineering programs with lower sticker prices and comparable outcomes. UMass-Amherst graduates earn $69,757—about $6,600 less initially—but at in-state tuition, many families would come out ahead financially. The 8% earnings growth from year one to year four is respectable but not exceptional for engineering.

If your child is admitted to Northeastern and genuinely excited about the co-op program and Boston location, the numbers support that choice. But don't assume the brand premium translates to significantly better earnings than less selective Massachusetts engineering schools—at least not in the civil engineering field.