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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #61 | Edwardsville, IL | $86,459 Median Engineering Earnings | $8,483 | 97.5% | 57.0% | |
| #62 | Fargo, ND | $86,439 Median Engineering Earnings | $9,370 | 95.0% | 63.9% | |
| #63 | Augustana CollegePrivate | Rock Island, IL | $85,993 Median Engineering Earnings | $15,787 | 62.7% | 72.9% |
| #64 | University Center, MI | $85,889 Median Engineering Earnings | $9,844 | 72.1% | 48.3% | |
| #65 | Dayton, OH | $85,888 Median Engineering Earnings | $11,952 | 96.3% | 41.7% | |
| #66 | Rapid City, SD | $85,574 Median Engineering Earnings | $15,348 | 79.9% | 52.9% | |
| #67 | Carbondale, IL | $84,693 Median Engineering Earnings | $9,415 | 86.9% | 62.4% | |
| #68 | Youngstown, OH | $84,396 Median Engineering Earnings | $9,328 | 84.5% | 50.5% | |
| #69 | Cedarville UniversityPrivate | Cedarville, OH | $83,768 Median Engineering Earnings | $18,987 | 65.3% | 72.5% |
| #70 | Saint Louis UniversityPrivate | Saint Louis, MO | $83,081 Median Engineering Earnings | $22,501 | 75.0% | 79.5% |
| #71 | Cleveland, OH | $83,009 Median Engineering Earnings | $11,958 | 91.3% | 50.6% | |
| #72 | Trine UniversityPrivate | Angola, IN | $82,991 Median Engineering Earnings | $19,661 | 85.5% | 64.4% |
| #73 | Olivet Nazarene UniversityPrivate | Bourbonnais, IL | $82,632 Median Engineering Earnings | $17,232 | 55.9% | 60.8% |
| #74 | Hope CollegePrivate | Holland, MI | $82,513 Median Engineering Earnings | $17,606 | 79.2% | 80.0% |
| #75 | Calvin UniversityPrivate | Grand Rapids, MI | $82,326 Median Engineering Earnings | $19,281 | 70.9% | 74.1% |
| #76 | Milwaukee, WI | $82,196 Median Engineering Earnings | $10,329 | 90.7% | 49.3% | |
| #77 | Ferris State UniversityPublic | Big Rapids, MI | $82,141 Median Engineering Earnings | $2,556 | 91.4% | 46.9% |
| #78 | Ohio Northern UniversityPrivate | Ada, OH | $81,769 Median Engineering Earnings | $18,525 | 74.4% | 75.5% |
| #79 | University Of EvansvillePrivate | Evansville, IN | $81,662 Median Engineering Earnings | $14,451 | 77.6% | 64.5% |
| #80 | Mankato, MN | $81,502 Median Engineering Earnings | $12,339 | 88.4% | 53.9% |
