Engineering at University of the Pacific

Is $26,500 in estimated debt a reasonable burden when similar engineering programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $68,000? The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39 looks manageable on paper—graduates from comparable programs would owe roughly five months of gross pay. But that's where the comfort ends: by year four, when earnings hit $98,000, this program still lags significantly behind California's engineering landscape.

The state comparison is stark. California's median engineering bachelor's produces $88,000 in first-year earnings with just $15,000 in debt. Harvey Mudd and UC Davis graduates start above $83,000. Even accounting for University of the Pacific's small-program status (which triggers the data suppression), the estimated $20,000 earnings gap relative to state peers suggests students may be paying similar tuition for notably different employment outcomes. That 95% admission rate reflects accessibility, but engineering employers care more about curriculum rigor and industry connections than open enrollment.

Your child could likely clear the debt within a few years, but that's true of most engineering programs—and many alternatives in California promise stronger immediate earnings with less borrowing. Unless Pacific offers compelling non-financial reasons (specific faculty expertise, location preferences, scholarship aid that changes the debt picture), this estimated performance suggests exploring programs that deliver California's typical engineering returns.