Computer Engineering at University of Massachusetts-Lowell

UMass Lowell's computer engineering program puts graduates in a solid financial position—$85,280 after one year with just $27,000 in debt—but there's an important wrinkle for Massachusetts families to understand. While these outcomes beat the national average handily (78th percentile), they trail the state median by about $2,000. This isn't a red flag so much as a reflection of Massachusetts' particularly strong tech market: you're competing against higher-earning programs at Northeastern, BU, and even UMass Amherst. That said, the debt load here is exceptionally low—5th percentile nationally—which means your child graduates with manageable payments regardless of which engineering path they choose.

The 0.32 debt-to-earnings ratio is excellent, translating to roughly $300 in monthly loan payments on an $85,000 salary. For a school with an 85% admission rate, these are genuinely strong outcomes. The difference between UMass Lowell and the top-earning programs in the state narrows to about $14,000 annually versus Northeastern, which charges significantly higher tuition. If your child is choosing between UMass schools, Amherst edges ahead by about $4,000 in first-year earnings, but Lowell's combination of access, reasonable debt, and near-six-figure earning potential within a few years makes it a pragmatic choice for families prioritizing value over prestige.