Computer Engineering at Wentworth Institute of Technology

Wentworth's computer engineering graduates earn solidly above the national average but trail most other Massachusetts programs—a significant gap for a state with one of the nation's strongest tech markets. At $82,057, first-year earnings beat the national median by about $3,000, yet fall roughly $5,000 short of what Massachusetts computer engineers typically make. Among the state's 13 programs, this lands at the 40th percentile, below UMass system schools that often cost less for in-state students.

The debt picture, however, is genuinely impressive. At $27,000, Wentworth sits in the 5th percentile nationally for debt—meaning 95% of computer engineering programs leave students with more to repay. The 0.33 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe about a third of their first-year salary, a manageable burden that allows rapid payoff. This makes the program financially safer than most alternatives, even if earning potential doesn't match the state's top tier.

For families choosing between Massachusetts schools, the decision hinges on net price and career goals. If Wentworth's practical, co-op-heavy approach costs substantially less than Northeastern or BU (list prices are deceptive), the lower debt may offset the earnings gap within a few years. But if you're paying similar amounts, those higher-earning programs deliver better value. The program works—it just doesn't maximize what Boston's tech economy typically offers computer engineering graduates.