Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

RPI graduates in this program earn nearly double what their peers at other New York schools make—$94,722 versus the state median of $53,624. Even compared to Rochester Institute of Technology, the next-best program in the state at $73,355, RPI students are earning $21,000 more right out of the gate. This places RPI at the 95th percentile both nationally and within New York, meaning only a handful of programs anywhere can match these outcomes.

The debt picture requires some context. At $23,582, it's higher than the state median but still represents just three months of first-year earnings. That 0.25 debt-to-earnings ratio is exceptionally manageable, and with 26% earnings growth by year four, graduates are quickly moving into six-figure territory. The moderate sample size means outcomes are stable enough to trust, though not based on thousands of graduates.

For a parent weighing RPI's price tag against SUNY alternatives, these numbers tell a clear story: you're paying more upfront but getting dramatically better career outcomes. The $40,000+ earnings advantage over typical New York programs means the additional investment pays back quickly. This is one of the strongest computer engineering technology programs in the country by actual earnings data.