Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at Stonehill College

Is a private liberal arts college the right place for an engineering degree? Stonehill's small program size means we're working with estimates here—peer programs in Massachusetts suggest first-year earnings around $83,000 against debt of $26,000. That 0.31 debt ratio is manageable by any standard, and the estimated earnings align almost exactly with the state median for this field. But context matters: this is a college where 73% of applicants are admitted and only 15% of students receive Pell grants, raising questions about whether you're paying for engineering education or institutional prestige.

The real issue is what you're not seeing in the data. Massachusetts has powerhouse engineering programs—MIT grads start above $117,000, WPI and Northeastern grads clear $90,000—and even mid-tier options like Wentworth match the estimated outcomes here while likely offering more robust technical facilities and industry connections. Stonehill positions itself as a liberal arts college, which could mean broader educational experiences but might also signal limited engineering-specific resources, lab equipment, or employer recruiting compared to dedicated technical institutions.

The estimated debt-to-earnings picture suggests this program won't financially cripple your child, but you're looking at comparable outcomes to state averages while potentially paying private college prices. Before committing, demand specifics: What's the actual track record of Stonehill engineering graduates? Where do they land jobs? How does a small cohort affect access to internships and career services? The estimates tell you this could work out fine—they don't tell you it's the strongest choice in a state crowded with proven alternatives.