Franklin W Olin College Of Engineering

Franklin W Olin College Of Engineering publishes a comprehensive cost of attendance of $81,486 per year, including $64,458 in tuition and fees, $19,820 for room and board, and $216 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays just $20,575 after financial aid—a savings of $60,911 from the sticker price. This substantial financial aid reduces costs by approximately 75% for the typical family.

The average net price of $20,575 compares favorably to the peer median of $21,812, making Olin slightly more affordable than similar institutions despite its specialized engineering focus and exceptional outcomes. Net prices vary significantly by family income, ranging from $7,058 for families earning under $30,000 to $46,317 for families earning over $110,000. This progressive pricing structure indicates substantial need-based aid targeting lower- and middle-income families, with the most significant support directed toward students from families earning under $48,000 annually.

Olin graduates demonstrate exceptional earnings growth throughout their careers. Median earnings rise from $105,483 six years after enrollment to $130,517 at eight years and $129,455 at ten years, representing 22.7% growth from the six-year mark. These outcomes are based on small but consistent cohorts—53 graduates at six years, 38 at eight years, and 44 at ten years—providing confidence in reported figures despite the college's specialized size.

Graduates earn $60,450 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing Olin at the 99.7th percentile for earnings uplift—among the highest we track. This exceptional value-added performance reflects the institution's ability to convert specialized technical education into premium career outcomes. The college's focused engineering curriculum and project-based learning approach appear strongly aligned with industry demands. Approximately 17.5% of graduates continue to graduate study, indicating most students transition directly into high-paying engineering roles rather than pursuing advanced degrees.

Franklin W Olin College Of Engineering admits approximately 21.7% of applicants, meaning roughly 1 in 5 applicants receives an offer of admission. This places Olin in the highly selective category, with significantly more competitive admission than typical four-year institutions. The peer median admission rate of 75.6% highlights the substantial difference between Olin's selectivity and most colleges, reflecting the specialized nature of engineering-focused education and the college's small size.

This level of selectivity means that even students with strong academic credentials face meaningful uncertainty in the admission process. The college's specialized curriculum and limited enrollment capacity create additional admission constraints beyond academic qualifications. Students considering Olin should build comprehensive college lists that include engineering programs with higher acceptance rates but comparable post-graduation outcomes. Given the concentrated applicant pool of engineering-focused students, treating Olin as a reach school represents sound application strategy regardless of academic preparation. The sections below provide guidance on academic expectations and alternative schools with similar engineering outcomes but more accessible admission processes.

Olin offers two bachelor's degree programs, both with exceptional national rankings and strong earnings outcomes. Applied Engineering ranks #1 nationally and #1 in Massachusetts, producing 35 graduates with median earnings of $114,228 and a perfect value score of 100.0. This program represents roughly half of all graduates and stands as one of the top-performing engineering programs in the country.

Mechanical Engineering ranks #14 nationally and #2 in Massachusetts, graduating 36 students with median earnings of $96,456 and a value score of 94.2. This program represents the other half of Olin's graduating class and maintains strong outcomes relative to mechanical engineering programs nationwide. Both programs carry the designation of top majors at the school, reflecting the institution's dual-focus approach to engineering education. The combination of small cohort sizes and premium outcomes indicates highly personalized education with strong industry connections.