Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at Villanova University

Villanova's electrical engineering program launches graduates into six-figure starting salaries—$90,302 after one year, placing them in the 95th percentile nationally. But here's the puzzle: earnings dip to $86,457 by year four, and the program ranks only at the state median (60th percentile) among Pennsylvania engineering schools. That gap matters because in-state students are comparing Villanova directly against strong regional options like Drexel and Lehigh, which offer similar outcomes at comparable or lower costs.

The $27,000 median debt is manageable, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.30—well below concerning levels. Villanova's selective admissions (25% acceptance rate, 1466 SAT average) suggest the school attracts strong students who likely secure competitive entry-level positions. However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) and the earnings decline raise questions about whether these numbers fully represent typical outcomes or career paths.

For Pennsylvania families, this is a solid program but not obviously superior to peer institutions in the state. The strong starting salary is encouraging, though parents should understand why earnings might flatten or decline early in graduates' careers—whether it reflects industry patterns, career pivots, or just statistical noise from limited data. At this price point and debt level, it's a reasonable investment, but Carnegie Mellon's dramatically higher earnings ($139,337) show there's a clear performance tier above Villanova for families weighing their options.