Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at Widener University

Widener's electrical engineering program produces graduates earning $82,611 their first year—above the national median but roughly middle-of-the-pack among Pennsylvania's 20 programs. With debt of $26,500 and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.32, the financial picture is reasonable but not exceptional. For comparison, graduates from nearby Drexel and Villanova earn similar amounts, though Carnegie Mellon's engineering grads command nearly $140,000 starting out.

The challenge here is sample size: fewer than 30 graduates means a single year's data could swing dramatically. These numbers suggest solid outcomes, but they're not stable enough to bank on. What matters more is that Widener, with its 84% admission rate, offers engineering access to students who might not get into more selective programs. If your child is genuinely interested in electrical engineering and Widener is offering a manageable financial package, the debt level won't be crushing on an engineering salary.

The real question is whether your child will stick with engineering—it's a demanding field with high attrition rates. If they complete the degree, the economics work. But given the small program size, make sure the department has the resources and faculty depth your child will need for four years. Visit the labs, talk to current students, and confirm this isn't just a catalog offering.