Est. Earnings (1yr)
$68,919
Est. from national median (31 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$25,236
Est. from national median (21 programs)

Analysis

A $68,900 first-year salary based on national peer programs suggests solid technical preparation, though UMass Amherst's specific outcomes remain unclear due to limited graduate samples in this niche field. Engineering-related programs—which cover everything from engineering technology to construction management—typically produce mid-tier technical earners, and the estimated debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37 falls within reasonable territory for STEM fields. The $25,200 in projected debt could be manageable with these earning levels, assuming actual outcomes track with the national pattern.

The challenge here is that you're evaluating a program with no state-level comparisons and suppressed data, making UMass Amherst essentially a solo player in Massachusetts for this credential. The school's solid admission standards and relatively low Peel enrollment suggest a traditional four-year experience, but without knowing whether this is engineering technology, surveying, or another specialty, it's hard to assess competitive positioning. If graduates are landing technical roles rather than full engineering positions, that $69K estimate may represent a ceiling rather than a floor.

Given the uncertainty, focus on understanding exactly what "engineering-related" means at UMass—some programs lead directly to licensure and strong regional hiring, while others serve as backup options for students who don't complete traditional engineering degrees. The estimated numbers suggest acceptable outcomes, but you're essentially betting on national averages applying locally. That's reasonable for a flagship state university, but confirm the specific career paths and employer connections before committing.

Where University of Massachusetts-Amherst Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all engineering-related fields bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Engineering-Related Fields bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally

Scroll to see more →

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
University of Massachusetts-AmherstAmherst$17,357$68,919*—$25,236*—
Stanford UniversityStanford$62,484$100,788*$141,630—*—
Stevens Institute of TechnologyHoboken$60,952$79,755*$94,324$26,975*0.34
Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing$15,988$76,563*$82,682$23,756*0.31
Arizona State University Digital ImmersionScottsdale—$76,149*$84,356$31,000*0.41
Arizona State University Campus ImmersionTempe$12,051$76,149*$84,356$31,000*0.41
National Median—$68,919*—$25,368*0.37
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with engineering-related fields graduates

Architectural and Engineering Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as architecture and engineering or research and development in these fields.

$167,740/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers

Define, plan, or execute biofuels/biodiesel research programs that evaluate alternative feedstock and process technologies with near-term commercial potential.

$167,740/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Industrial Production Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the work activities and resources necessary for manufacturing products in accordance with cost, quality, and quantity specifications.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Quality Control Systems Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate quality assurance programs. Formulate quality control policies and control quality of laboratory and production efforts.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Geothermal Production Managers

Manage operations at geothermal power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor geothermal plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biofuels Production Managers

Manage biofuels production and plant operations. Collect and process information on plant production and performance, diagnose problems, and design corrective procedures.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biomass Power Plant Managers

Manage operations at biomass power generation facilities. Direct work activities at plant, including supervision of operations and maintenance staff.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Hydroelectric Production Managers

Manage operations at hydroelectric power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor hydroelectric plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Facilities Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate operations and functionalities of facilities and buildings. May include surrounding grounds or multiple facilities of an organization's campus.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Security Managers

Direct an organization's security functions, including physical security and safety of employees and facilities.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Industrial Engineers

Design, develop, test, and evaluate integrated systems for managing industrial production processes, including human work factors, quality control, inventory control, logistics and material flow, cost analysis, and production coordination.

$101,140/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists

Design objects, facilities, and environments to optimize human well-being and overall system performance, applying theory, principles, and data regarding the relationship between humans and respective technology. Investigate and analyze characteristics of human behavior and performance as it relates to the use of technology.

$101,140/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At University of Massachusetts-Amherst, approximately 20% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 31 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.