Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

RPI's electrical and communications engineering program launches graduates into strong early earnings at $83,412—about $6,000 above the national median and landing in the 88th percentile nationally. That said, within New York's competitive engineering landscape, this places at the 60th percentile, trailing Cornell by a substantial margin and running neck-and-neck with Syracuse and Rochester. For a school with RPI's selectivity (1415 average SAT), the in-state positioning suggests you're paying for a prestigious name without necessarily commanding top-of-market starting salaries.

The financial picture works in your favor: with median debt of just $24,625 and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.30, most graduates should comfortably manage their loans. Earnings growth to $102,236 by year four shows healthy progression—a 23% increase that indicates this degree opens doors to advancing career paths. The moderate sample size suggests stable data, not an outlier year.

For families comparing New York engineering schools, RPI delivers solid outcomes but not exceptional ones relative to the state's top programs. If your child has the credentials for Cornell or can access similar aid packages at Rochester or RIT, those merit serious consideration. RPI works best for students who value its specific campus culture and hands-on approach, knowing they'll graduate with manageable debt and reliable—if not spectacular—earning potential in a field with strong fundamentals.