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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #21 | Allendale, MI | $95,021 Median Engineering Earnings | $12,272 | 83.0% | 67.0% | |
| #22 | Columbia, MO | $95,008 Median Engineering Earnings | $13,841 | 78.5% | 74.9% | |
| #23 | Southfield, MI | $94,104 Median Engineering Earnings | $25,980 | 55.9% | 60.6% | |
| #24 | Iowa State UniversityPublic | Ames, IA | $93,378 Median Engineering Earnings | $10,582 | 88.7% | 75.3% |
| #25 | Minneapolis, MN | $93,000 Median Engineering Earnings | $6,642 | 79.8% | 85.3% | |
| #26 | Bradley UniversityPrivate | Peoria, IL | $92,787 Median Engineering Earnings | $17,269 | 76.8% | 76.2% |
| #27 | Saint Cloud, MN | $92,640 Median Engineering Earnings | $8,909 | 94.8% | 40.3% | |
| #28 | Chicago, IL | $92,603 Median Engineering Earnings | $12,964 | 54.9% | 75.2% | |
| #29 | Grand Forks, ND | $92,471 Median Engineering Earnings | $13,126 | 76.9% | 60.5% | |
| #30 | Cincinnati, OH | $92,186 Median Engineering Earnings | $17,974 | 85.3% | 75.0% | |
| #31 | University Of St ThomasPrivate | Saint Paul, MN | $92,179 Median Engineering Earnings | $28,131 | 85.4% | 76.4% |
| #32 | Winona State UniversityPublic | Winona, MN | $91,528 Median Engineering Earnings | $10,224 | 75.5% | 56.9% |
| #33 | University Of DaytonPrivate | Dayton, OH | $91,479 Median Engineering Earnings | $21,736 | 65.5% | 80.2% |
| #34 | Milwaukee, WI | $91,459 Median Engineering Earnings | $11,607 | 58.9% | 67.1% | |
| #35 | Rolla, MO | $91,311 Median Engineering Earnings | $10,912 | 72.5% | 64.4% | |
| #36 | Hammond, IN | $91,195 Median Engineering Earnings | $1,432 | 72.4% | 42.9% | |
| #37 | University Of ToledoPublic | Toledo, OH | $90,895 Median Engineering Earnings | $13,524 | 92.0% | 57.0% |
| #38 | Lincoln, NE | $90,780 Median Engineering Earnings | $12,751 | 87.5% | 67.0% | |
| #39 | Indianapolis, IN | $90,660 Median Engineering Earnings | $5,701 | 76.4% | 54.4% | |
| #40 | Kalamazoo, MI | $90,637 Median Engineering Earnings | $5,263 | 84.6% | 57.6% |
