Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at Rowan University

Rowan University's electrical engineering program delivers solid entry-level salaries at $79,612—matching the New Jersey median and outperforming 64% of similar programs nationwide. With debt of just $23,250, graduates are positioned to pay down loans quickly, owing less than three months' salary. The 0.29 debt-to-earnings ratio is among the most favorable you'll find in engineering.

The program's 60th percentile ranking within New Jersey tells an interesting story. While Stevens and Rutgers grads earn more right out of school, Rowan's more accessible admission standards (78% acceptance rate versus NJIT's and Rutgers's selectivity) mean strong students can enter engineering without the brutal competition elsewhere. You're getting respectable engineering salaries without the elite school debt load. The 8% earnings bump to $86,000 by year four suggests steady career progression, though top programs show steeper growth trajectories.

For families weighing cost versus outcome, this represents engineering education at a reasonable price. The relatively low debt matters more than the middle-of-the-pack starting salary—your child will have financial flexibility early in their career. If they can get into Stevens or Rutgers, the extra $10,000+ in starting salary might justify those choices, but Rowan offers a lower-risk path into a well-paying profession.