Engineering programs across the Midwest produce graduates with median earnings of $80,046, ranging from $66,971 to $103,903—demonstrating how program selection significantly impacts career earnings. With 83 ranked programs spanning public universities and private colleges, the region offers diverse pathways into technical careers, with graduates earning $6,977 higher than the national average.
Leading the list is Northwestern University, achieving the highest program earnings at $103,903. The top tier is dominated by research powerhouses, with University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign ($94,889) and University of Michigan-Ann Arbor ($92,619) rounding out the top three. These STEM programs demonstrate exceptional program outcomes that justify their positioning in the rankings.
| Rank | School | Location | Earnings | Net Price | Acceptance Rate | Grad Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Ann Arbor, MI | $111,754 Median Engineering Earnings | $1,043 | 15.6% | 93.2% | |
| #2 | Champaign, IL | $110,373 Median Engineering Earnings | $2,038 | 42.4% | 85.1% | |
| #3 | Northwestern UniversityPrivate | Evanston, IL | $105,799 Median Engineering Earnings | $1,764 | 7.7% | 95.1% |
| #4 | University Of Detroit MercyPrivate | Detroit, MI | $104,683 Median Engineering Earnings | $13,088 | 75.4% | 67.2% |
| #5 | St. Louis, MO | $102,373 Median Engineering Earnings | $1,716 | 12.1% | 94.3% | |
| #6 | Kettering UniversityPrivate | Flint, MI | $102,080 Median Engineering Earnings | $24,910 | 78.7% | 70.8% |
| #7 | West Lafayette, IN | $102,077 Median Engineering Earnings | $5,098 | 49.9% | 83.1% | |
| #8 | Columbus, OH | $101,542 Median Engineering Earnings | $4,885 | 60.6% | 87.7% | |
| #9 | University Of Notre DamePrivate | Notre Dame, IN | $101,115 Median Engineering Earnings | $7,244 | 11.3% | 95.2% |
| #10 | Stevens Point, WI | $100,034 Median Engineering Earnings | $8,833 | 91.8% | 50.8% | |
| #11 | Marietta CollegePrivate | Marietta, OH | $99,295 Median Engineering Earnings | $18,254 | 79.3% | 61.4% |
| #12 | Madison, WI | $98,862 Median Engineering Earnings | $4,200 | 45.2% | 89.5% | |
| #13 | Dearborn, MI | $98,608 Median Engineering Earnings | $7,211 | 55.6% | 58.0% | |
| #14 | Terre Haute, IN | $98,185 Median Engineering Earnings | $36,843 | 76.9% | 78.2% | |
| #15 | East Lansing, MI | $97,272 Median Engineering Earnings | $7,068 | 84.8% | 80.7% | |
| #16 | Loyola University ChicagoPrivate | Chicago, IL | $97,158 Median Engineering Earnings | $28,992 | 81.6% | 73.0% |
| #17 | Oakland UniversityPublic | Rochester Hills, MI | $96,379 Median Engineering Earnings | $4,422 | 87.8% | 57.6% |
| #18 | Wayne State UniversityPublic | Detroit, MI | $96,274 Median Engineering Earnings | $11,090 | 81.2% | 58.4% |
| #19 | Cleveland, OH | $95,909 Median Engineering Earnings | $19,025 | 36.5% | 87.2% | |
| #20 | Marquette UniversityPrivate | Milwaukee, WI | $95,032 Median Engineering Earnings | $22,269 | 81.3% | 83.2% |
