Compare 11 Engineering Science. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $87,477. Top programs: $113,749+.
With top graduates earning $114K, Engineering Science stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $26K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige. Across 11 ranked programs, outcomes track program quality, not the reputation of the institution awarding the degree.
Dartmouth College leads with Engineering Science graduates earning $113,749—well above the $87,477 average across all 11 programs. More telling: Penn State, a public university admitting 91% of applicants, ranks second at $100,176. Meanwhile, Yale and Harvard land at #10 and #7 respectively, each trailing several less-selective programs. School name is not a reliable proxy for program outcomes here.
For families paying out of pocket, California State University-Bakersfield is the standout: combined student and parent debt totals just $25,600, with a 5.6% family payment burden—firmly in the 'Excellent' tier. Dartmouth leads on student-only burden at 2.6% ('Excellent'), though its $44,481 in typical parent borrowing shifts the family picture. The school you choose changes dramatically depending on who's covering the bill.
Highest program earnings: $113,749
Strong outcomes ($100,176) with 91% acceptance
2.6% payment burden | Excellent
5.6% family burden | Excellent
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Dartmouth CollegePrivate | $113,749 | 94 | $17,500 | Excellent | $44,481 | Good |
| #2 | $100,176 | 45 | $25,000 | Excellent | $38,368 | Manageable | |
| #3 | $91,309 | 34 | $21,500 | Excellent | $25,294 | Good | |
| #4 | Hofstra UniversityPrivate | $90,246 | 9 | $23,621 | Excellent | $56,149 | Manageable |
| #5 | $88,948 | 42 | $16,600 | Excellent | $9,000 | Excellent | |
| #6 | Trinity UniversityPrivate | $86,823 | 28 | $22,954 | Excellent | $19,986 | Good |
| #7 | Harvard UniversityPrivate | $86,477 | 45 | — | — | — | — |
| #8 | $86,015 | 18 | $18,450 | Excellent | $13,000 | Excellent | |
| #9 | Wartburg CollegePrivate | $78,959 | 11 | $27,000 | Excellent | $27,152 | Manageable |
| #10 | Yale UniversityPrivate | $73,378 | 16 | — | — | — | — |
| #11 | Vanderbilt UniversityPrivate | $66,169 | 37 | — | — | — | — |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on May 2026 refresh for 2026 rankings, based on Department of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
