Compare 36 Chemical Engineering. programs in the Northeast. Average earnings: $89,065.
The highest-earning Chemical Engineering program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $20K earnings gap across 36 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand. In the Northeast, graduates earn between $87,775 and $107,816—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
University of Pennsylvania's Chemical Engineering program leads with graduates earning $107,816, followed closely by Columbia ($105,514) and Cornell ($105,514). But the real story emerges when comparing these Ivies to programs like UMass-Lowell, where graduates earn $94,160—just $13K less than the regional average of $89,065 while offering 85% acceptance rates.
High earnings don't guarantee affordability. Cornell graduates borrow $14,000 and face just a 2.3% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families including parent loans, Stony Brook leads with an 8.3% family burden—proof that the smartest financial choice depends on who's writing the checks.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University Of PennsylvaniaPrivate | $107,816 | 40 | $15,715 | Excellent | $33,124 | Good |
| #2 | $105,514 | 39 | $21,500 | Excellent | $35,000 | Good | |
| #3 | Cornell UniversityPrivate | $105,514 | 61 | $14,000 | Excellent | $38,000 | Good |
| #4 | Carnegie Mellon UniversityPrivate | $102,617 | 40 | $21,750 | Excellent | $37,130 | Good |
| #5 | Bucknell UniversityPrivate | $101,352 | 18 | $27,000 | Excellent | $62,750 | Manageable |
| #6 | $99,799 | 42 | $14,768 | Excellent | $42,501 | Good | |
| #7 | Tufts UniversityPrivate | $97,631 | 28 | $16,250 | Excellent | $38,325 | Good |
| #8 | $94,160 | 83 | $23,704 | Excellent | $18,400 | Good | |
| #9 | Lehigh UniversityPrivate | $93,093 | 22 | $21,960 | Excellent | $42,245 | Manageable |
| #10 | Stony Brook UniversityPublic | $93,060 | 32 | $18,228 | Excellent | $21,400 | Good |
| #11 | Syracuse UniversityPrivate | $91,957 | 29 | $26,000 | Excellent | $39,841 | Manageable |
| #12 | Villanova UniversityPrivate | $91,386 | 59 | $25,874 | Excellent | $40,000 | Manageable |
| #13 | Northeastern UniversityPrivate | $91,084 | 128 | $24,250 | Excellent | $34,984 | Manageable |
| #14 | Drexel UniversityPrivate | $90,679 | 78 | $25,325 | Excellent | $40,932 | Manageable |
| #15 | $90,212 | 109 | $23,750 | Excellent | $52,241 | Manageable | |
| #16 | $90,120 | 97 | $24,250 | Excellent | $35,031 | Manageable | |
| #17 | $89,971 | 55 | $27,000 | Excellent | $53,192 | Manageable | |
| #18 | $89,036 | 76 | $27,000 | Excellent | $53,567 | Challenging | |
| #19 | Clarkson UniversityPrivate | $87,851 | 52 | $26,000 | Excellent | $36,890 | Manageable |
| #20 | New York UniversityPrivate | $87,775 | 46 | $20,500 | Excellent | $64,795 | Challenging |
| #21 | $87,747 | 32 | $26,814 | Excellent | $36,545 | Manageable | |
| #22 | $87,418 | 191 | $25,000 | Excellent | $38,368 | Manageable | |
| #23 | Lafayette CollegePrivate | $86,678 | 31 | $16,000 | Excellent | $59,000 | Manageable |
| #24 | Widener UniversityPrivate | $86,464 | 12 | $27,000 | Excellent | $33,146 | Manageable |
| #25 | University Of RochesterPrivate | $85,039 | 56 | $21,000 | Excellent | $30,000 | Manageable |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
