Polymer/Plastics Engineering at University of Massachusetts-Lowell

UMass Lowell's polymer/plastics engineering program stands out nationally, placing graduates in the 95th percentile for earnings in this specialized field. Starting at $77,114—nearly $3,400 above the national median—graduates carry manageable debt of $27,000, translating to a 0.35 debt-to-earnings ratio. That means students could theoretically pay off their loans in about four months of gross salary, a strong position for any STEM program. The $79,493 four-year earnings show steady income with modest growth, typical for technical roles where early compensation already reflects specialized skills.

The program's value becomes clearer when you consider how rare it is—only eight schools nationwide offer bachelor's degrees in polymer/plastics engineering, making UMass Lowell one of the few entry points into an industry that supplies everything from medical devices to automotive components. The 85% admission rate and moderate SAT scores suggest accessibility for solid students, while the specialized curriculum opens doors to a niche field with consistent demand.

For families evaluating this program, the numbers point to a clear win: below-average debt, above-average earnings, and training in a field where bachelor's-level graduates are scarce. If your student has interest in materials science and manufacturing, this represents both strong immediate returns and a practical pathway into an industry that needs trained engineers.