Computer Engineering at Washington University in St Louis

Computer engineering graduates from elite institutions typically command strong starting salaries, and this program appears to track with national norms—first-year earnings around $79,000 align with the national median for bachelor's programs in this field. What's worth noting is that Missouri's computer engineering programs generally perform slightly above the national average, with the state median at $81,000, suggesting the local market offers solid opportunities. WashU's highly selective profile (12% admission rate, 1530 SAT average) positions graduates competitively, though the earnings estimate here doesn't yet reflect any premium that might come from the school's prestigious name.

The estimated debt load of $26,000 produces a manageable 0.33 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe roughly four months of their first-year salary. This compares favorably to what similar programs nationally report. The real question for parents is whether WashU's total cost of attendance—likely far higher than this debt figure for most families—justifies outcomes that, based on peer programs, appear solid but not exceptional relative to Missouri's other strong engineering schools like Mizzou and Missouri S&T, where reported outcomes are nearly identical.

Given the uncertainty inherent in these estimates, families should weigh WashU's broader value proposition beyond just first-year earnings: career services, alumni networks, and internship access that don't show up in these numbers but may justify the premium at an institution serving primarily higher-income students.