Mechanical Engineering at Northeastern University

Northeastern's mechanical engineering program commands a premium in the national market, with first-year graduates earning $80,255—outpacing 95% of similar programs nationwide. That's nearly $10,000 above the national median and positions graduates competitively for the high-salary engineering career path that justifies the investment in this selective program.

The Massachusetts context tells a more nuanced story. Among the state's 13 mechanical engineering programs, Northeastern lands squarely in the middle pack at the 60th percentile, trailing MIT, Olin, and several other technical institutions. This isn't necessarily problematic—Massachusetts concentrates exceptional engineering talent—but it means your student won't gain a significant regional earnings advantage over graduates from WPI or Wentworth, despite Northeastern's more selective admissions (6% acceptance rate versus these competitors' higher rates). The $25,893 median debt is reasonable, creating a manageable 0.32 debt-to-earnings ratio that most graduates can handle comfortably within a few years.

The 14% earnings growth from year one to year four suggests solid career progression, and the robust sample size (100+ graduates) makes these figures reliable. For families choosing between Boston-area engineering programs, this delivers strong national credibility at a moderate debt level, though neighboring programs offer comparable Massachusetts market outcomes at potentially lower sticker prices if your student qualifies for merit aid elsewhere.