Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at Wentworth Institute of Technology

Wentworth's electrical engineering program delivers strong early earnings ($83K) that comfortably exceed the national median, but here's the reality for Massachusetts families: you're paying Boston-area tuition and living costs for outcomes that land right at the state median. Among the 17 Massachusetts schools offering this program, Wentworth sits squarely in the middle—earning more than UMass Lowell graduates by just $164 annually while trailing WPI by nearly $9,000. The 85th percentile national ranking sounds impressive until you realize it reflects how Massachusetts engineering programs dominate nationally, not exceptional performance within the state.

The financial picture is reasonable: $26,000 in debt against first-year earnings creates a manageable 0.31 ratio, and 10% earnings growth to $91,000 by year four suggests solid career progression. That's respectable for an 85% admission rate school serving students who might not get into MIT or Northeastern. However, parents should recognize they're essentially paying for location and co-op access rather than premium outcomes—Western New England, a less selective school in Springfield, produces virtually identical earnings with likely lower cost of attendance.

The value proposition depends on your alternative. If your child needs the structured co-op program and urban setting to launch their career, Wentworth delivers dependable results. But if UMass Lowell or a similar public option is available, you'll get the same starting salary with significantly less financial strain.