Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at Stevens Institute of Technology

Stevens graduates earning over $90,000 fresh out of college might sound impressive until you see what engineering students can make elsewhere in New Jersey. While this program ranks in the 95th percentile nationally, it sits at just the 60th percentile within the state—meaning three of the six other New Jersey schools produce higher earnings despite Stevens' selective admissions and high SAT scores. Rutgers grads, for instance, start nearly $8,000 higher. The $26,490 in debt is manageable with these salaries, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.29 that most families can handle, but you're paying private school tuition ($80,000+ per year) for outcomes that strong public universities are matching or exceeding.

The 21% earnings growth to $108,798 by year four shows solid career progression, and graduating in the 95th percentile nationally demonstrates that Stevens produces competitive engineers on the broader market. The challenge is justifying the total cost of attendance when NJIT students accumulate similar debt but potentially less overall expense, while Rutgers students start with higher salaries right away.

For families who can afford Stevens without significant debt beyond the $26,490 median, the program delivers strong returns and opens doors at top employers. But if you're choosing between this and New Jersey's flagship public engineering programs, the earnings data suggests the price premium may not translate to a career advantage—at least not in the measurable early years.