Computer Engineering at Tufts University

Massachusetts Computer Engineering programs cluster tightly around the state median of $87,304, and Tufts appears positioned right in that pack—trailing Northeastern and BU but comparable to UMass-Amherst. For a highly selective school (10% admission rate, 1513 SAT average), this placement suggests the engineering outcomes track more closely with the Boston-area job market than with Tufts's selectivity premium. The estimated $26,866 in debt yields a manageable 0.31 debt-to-earnings ratio, well below concerning thresholds.

The challenge is that without reported data for Tufts specifically, you're essentially betting on the Massachusetts average. That's not necessarily a problem—peer programs in the state consistently produce solid outcomes above the national median of $78,952. But you're paying Tufts tuition (and potentially taking on significant family financial strain) while the data suggests outcomes may be indistinguishable from UMass-Amherst, which costs considerably less for in-state students. The 12% Pell grant rate indicates this is primarily serving affluent families who may have other considerations beyond pure ROI.

If your child has admission offers from multiple schools on this list, focus on net price after aid rather than assuming Tufts's prestige translates to meaningfully higher engineering earnings. The debt estimate looks reasonable, but compare actual financial aid packages—that's where the real difference will emerge.