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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #41 | Sault Ste Marie, MI | $90,216 Median Engineering Earnings | $3,516 | — | 51.0% | |
| #42 | Houghton, MI | $89,881 Median Engineering Earnings | $2,045 | 92.4% | 68.1% | |
| #43 | Flint, MI | $89,554 Median Engineering Earnings | $1,517 | 70.5% | 40.3% | |
| #44 | Miami University-OxfordPublic | Oxford, OH | $89,220 Median Engineering Earnings | $16,015 | 75.4% | 79.8% |
| #45 | Chicago, IL | $89,169 Median Engineering Earnings | $7,529 | 77.3% | 61.6% | |
| #46 | Athens, OH | $88,990 Median Engineering Earnings | $15,673 | 85.0% | 65.5% | |
| #47 | Kansas State UniversityPublic | Manhattan, KS | $88,524 Median Engineering Earnings | $13,178 | 81.7% | 71.1% |
| #48 | Akron, OH | $88,508 Median Engineering Earnings | $10,413 | 59.7% | 51.9% | |
| #49 | University Of IowaPublic | Iowa City, IA | $88,293 Median Engineering Earnings | $15,316 | 83.6% | 74.6% |
| #50 | Kansas City, MO | $88,028 Median Engineering Earnings | $10,576 | 72.2% | 55.5% | |
| #51 | Valparaiso UniversityPrivate | Valparaiso, IN | $87,750 Median Engineering Earnings | $11,043 | 89.4% | 70.4% |
| #52 | Bowling Green, OH | $87,722 Median Engineering Earnings | $18,396 | 81.0% | 63.7% | |
| #53 | Menomonie, WI | $87,680 Median Engineering Earnings | $10,966 | 87.7% | 54.9% | |
| #54 | University Of KansasPublic | Lawrence, KS | $87,664 Median Engineering Earnings | $12,544 | 93.5% | 68.8% |
| #55 | Brookings, SD | $87,644 Median Engineering Earnings | $14,266 | 98.3% | 62.4% | |
| #56 | Mount Pleasant, MI | $87,546 Median Engineering Earnings | $12,185 | 89.8% | 58.7% | |
| #57 | Platteville, WI | $87,041 Median Engineering Earnings | $9,009 | 89.4% | 55.8% | |
| #58 | Saint Louis, MO | $86,725 Median Engineering Earnings | $13,031 | 62.7% | 56.6% | |
| #59 | Duluth, MN | $86,676 Median Engineering Earnings | $7,256 | 88.8% | 64.7% | |
| #60 | Dekalb, IL | $86,551 Median Engineering Earnings | $10,126 | 69.8% | 48.7% |
