Engineering at University of San Francisco

Engineering programs in California typically deliver strong outcomes, with the state median reaching $87,724—nearly $20,000 above what peer programs nationally suggest for University of San Francisco graduates. That gap matters significantly when you're paying San Francisco living costs during school and facing an estimated $26,500 in debt afterward. While a 0.39 debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable on paper, it assumes first-year earnings that fall well short of what other California engineering programs produce.

The numbers get more concerning when you look at specific comparisons. UC Davis engineering graduates earn $83,000, while Harvey Mudd reaches $92,500. Even accounting for selectivity differences, that's a substantial premium over the $68,000 estimated here. For context, the typical California engineering program carries just $15,000 in debt—nearly half what comparable programs suggest for USF. That combination of higher debt and lower earnings creates a tougher financial path during those critical first post-graduation years.

The reality is that engineering credentials carry weight based partly on program reputation and recruiting pipelines. With limited graduate outcome data available for USF's engineering program, you're essentially betting that their outcomes will match the national average rather than California's stronger norms. If your child has UC or Cal Poly options—even as a transfer pathway—those documented outcomes and established industry connections make them safer bets.