Best Engineering Colleges in New York (2026)
Updated
This page ranks the 23 Engineering programs in New York by median earnings of Engineering graduates four years after completing. Schools are ordered by the median earnings of their Engineering graduates four years after completing, highest first.
Across the 16 schools with a reported completion median, median earnings range from $118,998 at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art to $79,033, with a median of $96,225. Columbia University in the City of New York sits 1st on this list and reports a 96% six-year completion rate alongside an admission rate of 4%.
The list includes 8 public and 15 private nonprofit institutions. Stony Brook University holds the strongest Azimuth composite rank in the group, placing 45th among the 1,467 public and private nonprofit four-year institutions Azimuth ranks nationally. CUNY City College posts the lowest average net price at $3,776.
The ranked list
| Rank | School | Median Engineering Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbia University in the City of New York · New York, NY | $123,859 | $21,590 | $4,570 | 4.0% |
| Columbia University in the City of New York ranks 1st on this list and posts a 96% six-year completion rate alongside a 4% admission rate. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Operations Research (73 graduates), Mechanical Engineering (61 graduates), Biomedical/Medical Engineering (45 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Operations Research ($167,572), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering ($143,332), Mechanical Engineering ($111,491) | |||||
| 2 | The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art · New York, NY | $118,998 | $13,269 | $3,749 | 20.7% |
| The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art reports $118,998 in median earnings for its Engineering graduates four years after completing, with an average net price of $13,269. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (31 graduates), Chemical Engineering (23 graduates), Civil Engineering (18 graduates) | |||||
| 3 | Cornell University · Ithaca, NY | $118,309 | $28,690 | $1,776 | 8.8% |
| A private nonprofit university in Ithaca, Cornell University ranks 47th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and admits 9% of applicants. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (132 graduates), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (87 graduates), Operations Research (80 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Operations Research ($151,709), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering ($147,241), Chemical Engineering ($116,165) | |||||
| 4 | SUNY Maritime College · Throggs Neck, NY | $106,276 | $22,367 | $11,726 | 72.4% |
| SUNY Maritime College posts median earnings of $106,276 for its Engineering graduates four years after completing and a 64% six-year completion rate. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (82 graduates), Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering (41 graduates), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (24 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering ($107,749), Mechanical Engineering ($106,932), Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering ($106,186) | |||||
| 5 | Rochester Institute of Technology · Rochester, NY | $104,872 | $34,906 | $24,680 | 66.9% |
| With an admission rate of 67%, Rochester Institute of Technology reports $104,872 in median earnings for its Engineering graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Engineering (149 graduates), Mechanical Engineering (148 graduates), Electrical and Computer Engineering (120 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Engineering ($123,027), Industrial Engineering ($105,313), Chemical Engineering ($94,641) | |||||
| 6 | New York University · New York, NY | $99,496 | $37,050 | $16,977 | 9.2% |
| New York University graduates 88% of its students within six years and reports median earnings of $99,496 for its Engineering graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (104 graduates), Civil Engineering (42 graduates), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (42 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Engineering ($127,201), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering ($107,348), Civil Engineering ($94,867) | |||||
| 7 | Stony Brook University · Stony Brook, NY | $97,739 | $18,784 | $12,943 | 49.0% |
| Stony Brook University ranks 45th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and posts median earnings of $97,739 for its Engineering graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (99 graduates), Computer Engineering (56 graduates), Biomedical/Medical Engineering (50 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Engineering ($128,038), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering ($98,573), Mechanical Engineering ($91,650) | |||||
| 8 | University of Rochester · Rochester, NY | $97,587 | $29,278 | $9,678 | 40.1% |
| University of Rochester reports an average net price of $29,278 and median earnings of $97,587 for its Engineering graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (65 graduates), Biomedical/Medical Engineering (60 graduates), Mechanical Engineering (59 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering ($105,183), Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($95,957), Mechanical Engineering ($95,060) | |||||
| 9 | Binghamton University · Vestal, NY | $97,533 | $21,620 | $12,171 | 38.6% |
| Binghamton University admits 39% of applicants and reports median earnings of $97,533 for its Engineering graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (102 graduates), Industrial Engineering (66 graduates), Biomedical/Medical Engineering (57 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Engineering ($117,721), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering ($99,397), Industrial Engineering ($95,354) | |||||
| 10 | CUNY City College · New York, NY | $97,268 | $3,776 | $1,251 | 60.0% |
| CUNY City College posts median earnings of $97,268 for its Engineering graduates four years after completing, with an average net price of $3,776. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (119 graduates), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (81 graduates), Civil Engineering (57 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Engineering ($117,131), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering ($97,698), Mechanical Engineering ($97,270) | |||||
| 11 | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute · Troy, NY | $95,609 | $36,228 | $24,078 | 63.5% |
| Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ranks 11th on this list and reports an 84% six-year completion rate alongside an average net price of $36,228. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (212 graduates), Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering (112 graduates), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (107 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering ($104,596), Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($103,306), Chemical Engineering ($98,679) | |||||
| 12 | Manhattan University · Riverdale, NY | $95,182 | $27,256 | $27,281 | 78.9% |
| Manhattan University reports median earnings of $95,182 for its Engineering graduates four years after completing and an admission rate of 79%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Civil Engineering (99 graduates), Mechanical Engineering (59 graduates), Chemical Engineering (25 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering ($100,884), Chemical Engineering ($96,134), Civil Engineering ($95,877) | |||||
| 13 | Hofstra University · Hempstead, NY | $93,706 | $34,176 | $28,219 | 68.1% |
| Hofstra University reports $93,706 in median earnings for its Engineering graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $34,176. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (30 graduates), Civil Engineering (21 graduates), Biomedical/Medical Engineering (17 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Mechanical Engineering ($94,744), Engineering Science ($90,246) | |||||
| 14 | New York Institute of Technology · Old Westbury, NY | $93,704 | $22,443 | $17,084 | 81.0% |
| With a six-year completion rate of 59%, New York Institute of Technology ranks 14th on this list and posts an admission rate of 81%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (51 graduates), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (33 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering ($99,480) | |||||
| 15 | Fordham University · Bronx, NY | $90,465 | $44,338 | $32,474 | 59.3% |
| Fordham University ranks 15th on this list, graduates 82% of its students within six years, and posts an average net price of $44,338. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Engineering Physics (23 graduates) | |||||
| 16 | Clarkson University · Potsdam, NY | $90,081 | $30,305 | $21,335 | 77.4% |
| Ranking 654th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, Clarkson University shows median earnings of $90,081 for its Engineering graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (158 graduates), Civil Engineering (90 graduates), Chemical Engineering (45 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Engineering ($107,790), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering ($97,750), Chemical Engineering ($93,614) | |||||
| 17 | Syracuse University · Syracuse, NY | $90,051 | $38,793 | $15,817 | 45.9% |
| Syracuse University admits 46% of applicants and posts an average net price of $15,817 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (50 graduates), Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering (43 graduates), Civil Engineering (36 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($99,521), Mechanical Engineering ($91,438), Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering ($90,470) | |||||
| 18 | University at Buffalo · Buffalo, NY | $88,398 | $20,995 | $14,668 | 74.2% |
| A public university in Buffalo, University at Buffalo reports median earnings of $88,398 for its Engineering graduates four years after completing and a six-year completion rate of 75%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (232 graduates), Civil Engineering (167 graduates), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (110 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Engineering ($109,221), Chemical Engineering ($95,424), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering ($95,209) | |||||
| 19 | College of Staten Island CUNY · Staten Island, NY | $84,552 | $5,579 | $3,903 | 92.3% |
| College of Staten Island CUNY admits 92% of applicants, ranks 19th on this list, and posts an average net price of $3,903 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (40 graduates), Engineering, General (27 graduates) | |||||
| 20 | SUNY Polytechnic Institute · Utica, NY | $81,839 | $14,164 | $7,442 | 81.4% |
| Ranking 348th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, SUNY Polytechnic Institute shows a six-year completion rate of 55% and an average net price of $14,164. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (27 graduates), Civil Engineering (19 graduates), Electrical and Computer Engineering (12 graduates) | |||||
| 21 | State University of New York at New Paltz · New Paltz, NY | $80,923 | $18,809 | $10,541 | 61.6% |
| State University of New York at New Paltz admits 62% of applicants and posts an average net price of $10,541 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (48 graduates), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (26 graduates), Computer Engineering (6 graduates) | |||||
| 22 | Union College · Schenectady, NY | $80,536 | $34,561 | $11,776 | 43.9% |
| With an admission rate of 44%, Union College graduates 80% of its students within six years and ranks 919th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (40 graduates), Biomedical/Medical Engineering (20 graduates), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (18 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Mechanical Engineering ($85,427) | |||||
| 23 | Alfred University · Alfred, NY | $79,033 | $25,620 | $16,512 | 73.8% |
| Alfred University reports median earnings of $79,033 for its Engineering graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $25,620. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (58 graduates), Ceramic Sciences and Engineering (15 graduates), Materials Engineering (15 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Mechanical Engineering ($79,452) | |||||
How this list is ordered
Schools are ordered by the median earnings of their Engineering graduates four years after completing, highest first. The figure captures federally aided completers who were working and not enrolled four years after finishing the program. It does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The figures cited on this page cover the 16 schools with a reported completion median. Across the list, the spread from top to bottom is $39,965.
Job market context in New York
The Bureau of Labor Statistics links Engineering graduates to occupations such as Civil Engineers, Industrial Engineers, and Mechanical Engineers in New York. The median annual wage across those occupations is $136,147, though a quarter of workers in those occupations earn less than $104,842. Projections for 2024 to 2034 show about 13,010 openings a year, or about 190 openings a year for every hundred graduates, with more projected openings than graduates. Employment in those occupations is projected to be about 2.9% higher over that period. Wages and top occupations exclude management occupations; openings include them. The ranking above uses graduate earnings four years after completing, not the occupation-wide wage figures described here.