Best Engineering Technology Colleges for Social Mobility
Updated
This page ranks 125 schools for Engineering Technology in the United States. Schools first had to sit at or above the 60th percentile on Azimuth's mobility pillar; those that qualified are ordered by the school's median earnings of all students ten years after entry, highest first, as set out on Azimuth's methodology page.
The top-ranked school, Stanford University, reports median earnings of $124,080 for its students ten years after entry. Across the listed schools, the median figure is $54,368, with a range from $124,080 to $38,924.
Public institutions dominate the list, accounting for 117 of the 125 schools, or 94%. California State University-Los Angeles posts the lowest average net price, at $3,967.
The ranked list
| Rank | School | Median earnings, 10 years after entry | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Pell share | Mobility percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stanford University · Stanford, CA | $124,080 | $13,807 | -$2,536* | 19.2% | 90th |
| Stanford University reports median earnings of $124,080 for all students ten years after entry, and sits at the 90th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Engineering-Related Fields (77 graduates) | ||||||
| 2 | Stevens Institute of Technology · Hoboken, NJ | $108,772 | $41,346 | $27,221 | 20.4% | 71st |
| Stevens Institute of Technology posts an average net price of $27,221 for families earning under $30,000. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Engineering-Related Fields (23 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Engineering-Related Fields ($101,798) | ||||||
| 3 | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute · Troy, NY | $102,051 | $36,228 | $24,078 | 19.9% | 77th |
| Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ranks 3rd on this list, with median earnings of $102,051 ten years after entry and a Pell share of 20%. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians (80 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians ($125,531) | ||||||
| 4 | University of Southern California · Los Angeles, CA | $92,498 | $32,740 | $13,516 | 22.2% | 95th |
| At the 95th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions, University of Southern California reports an average net price of $13,516 for families earning under $30,000. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Engineering-Related Fields (24 graduates) | ||||||
| 5 | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo · San Luis Obispo, CA | $90,768 | $16,665 | $7,529 | 19.2% | 94th |
| California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, a public university in San Luis Obispo, shows median earnings of $90,768 for all students ten years after entry. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (52 graduates) | ||||||
| 6 | Drexel University · Philadelphia, PA | $84,648 | $38,509 | $28,055 | 26.8% | 89th |
| Drexel University reports a Pell share of 27% and median earnings of $84,648 ten years after entry. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General (29 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General ($97,379) | ||||||
| 7 | New Jersey Institute of Technology · Newark, NJ | $84,276 | $16,504 | $10,138 | 39.6% | 94th |
| New Jersey Institute of Technology ranks 7th on this list and posts an average net price of $10,138 for families earning under $30,000. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General (195 graduates), Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (8 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General ($86,360) | ||||||
| 8 | Missouri University of Science and Technology · Rolla, MO | $82,957 | $16,298 | $10,912 | 22.8% | 82nd |
| With median earnings of $82,957 ten years after entry, Missouri University of Science and Technology sits at the 82nd percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Engineering-Related Fields (77 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Engineering-Related Fields ($91,035) | ||||||
| 9 | New York University · New York, NY | $82,509 | $37,050 | $16,977 | 17.9% | 93rd |
| New York University reports an average net price of $37,050 and a Pell share of 18%. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Engineering-Related Fields (69 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Engineering-Related Fields ($114,572) | ||||||
| 10 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University · Blacksburg, VA | $81,698 | $24,953 | $11,689 | 15.3% | 94th |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University ranks 10th on this list, with median earnings of $81,698 for all students ten years after entry. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Engineering-Related Fields (24 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Engineering-Related Fields ($81,618) | ||||||
| 11 | San Jose State University · San Jose, CA | $78,988 | $13,760 | $9,730 | 35.2% | 98th |
| San Jose State University sits at the 98th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports an average net price of $9,730 for families earning under $30,000. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (58 graduates), Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General (57 graduates), Engineering-Related Fields (13 graduates) | ||||||
| 12 | Michigan Technological University · Houghton, MI | $78,198 | $14,182 | $2,045 | 20.2% | 82nd |
| Michigan Technological University posts median earnings of $78,198 ten years after entry and an average net price of $2,045 for families earning under $30,000. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians (36 graduates), Engineering-Related Fields (21 graduates), Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians (9 graduates) | ||||||
| 13 | Rochester Institute of Technology · Rochester, NY | $76,571 | $34,906 | $24,680 | 27.2% | 80th |
| Rochester Institute of Technology, a private nonprofit university in Rochester, reports median earnings of $76,571 for its students ten years after entry and sits at the 80th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians (84 graduates), Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians (56 graduates), Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians (38 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians ($96,361), Engineering-Related Fields ($92,780), Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians ($86,226) | ||||||
| 14 | Purdue University-Main Campus · West Lafayette, IN | $72,424 | $14,600 | $5,098 | 13.0% | 95th |
| Purdue University-Main Campus ranks 14th on this list and posts an average net price of $5,098 for families earning under $30,000, alongside a 95th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians (307 graduates), Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (163 graduates), Architectural Engineering Technologies/Technicians (105 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Architectural Engineering Technologies/Technicians ($97,594), Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians ($88,474), Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians ($86,891) | ||||||
| 15 | Texas A&M University-College Station · College Station, TX | $72,097 | $21,315 | $12,784 | 19.6% | 99th |
| With a 99th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions, Texas A&M University-College Station shows median earnings of $72,097 ten years after entry and a Pell share of 20%. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Construction Engineering Technology/Technician (271 graduates), Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (149 graduates), Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians (101 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Construction Engineering Technology/Technician ($101,540), Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians ($99,943) | ||||||
| 16 | California State Polytechnic University-Pomona · Pomona, CA | $71,902 | $11,531 | $7,851 | 46.3% | 99th |
| California State Polytechnic University-Pomona reports an average net price of $11,531 and median earnings of $71,902 ten years after entry, while its Pell share reaches 46%. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians (57 graduates), Construction Engineering Technology/Technician (55 graduates), Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians (16 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Construction Engineering Technology/Technician ($105,812), Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians ($91,709) | ||||||
| 17 | University of Florida · Gainesville, FL | $71,588 | $6,541 | $1,982 | 21.7% | 97th |
| University of Florida ranks 17th on this list and records an average net price of $1,982 for families earning under $30,000, with median earnings of $71,588 ten years after entry. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Construction Engineering Technology/Technician (100 graduates), Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (14 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Construction Engineering Technology/Technician ($109,139) | ||||||
| 18 | Clemson University · Clemson, SC | $71,513 | $22,253 | $13,607 | 14.8% | 89th |
| Clemson University posts median earnings of $71,513 ten years after entry and an average net price of $22,253, with a Pell share of 15%. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Construction Engineering Technology/Technician (82 graduates), Engineering-Related Fields (55 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Engineering-Related Fields ($94,449) | ||||||
| 19 | Farmingdale State College · Farmingdale, NY | $69,781 | $10,867 | $4,933 | 36.3% | 93rd |
| Farmingdale State College ranks 19th on this list and reports an average net price of $4,933 for families earning under $30,000, alongside a 93rd percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians (65 graduates), Construction Engineering Technology/Technician (59 graduates), Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians (41 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians ($91,941), Construction Engineering Technology/Technician ($89,913), Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians ($87,895) | ||||||
| 20 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh · Raleigh, NC | $68,758 | $17,303 | $6,382 | 19.6% | 95th |
| North Carolina State University at Raleigh shows median earnings of $68,758 ten years after entry and a 95th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions, with a Pell share of 20%. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians (15 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians ($66,491) | ||||||
| 21 | Michigan State University · East Lansing, MI | $67,253 | $19,680 | $7,068 | 20.1% | 98th |
| Michigan State University reports an average net price of $7,068 for families earning under $30,000 and median earnings of $67,253 ten years after entry, while its mobility percentile reaches the 98th among nonprofit four-year institutions. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Engineering-Related Fields (172 graduates), Construction Engineering Technology/Technician (41 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Construction Engineering Technology/Technician ($95,387), Engineering-Related Fields ($94,143) | ||||||
| 22 | San Diego State University · San Diego, CA | $64,909 | $15,364 | $9,910 | 31.7% | 98th |
| San Diego State University ranks 22nd on this list and posts a Pell share of 32%, alongside median earnings of $64,909 ten years after entry. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Construction Engineering Technology/Technician (39 graduates) | ||||||
| 23 | University of Massachusetts-Lowell · Lowell, MA | $64,874 | $17,163 | $9,943 | 30.0% | 88th |
| University of Massachusetts-Lowell reports an average net price of $17,163 and an 88th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions, with a Pell share of 30%. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians (13 graduates), Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians (6 graduates) | ||||||
| 24 | California State University-Long Beach · Long Beach, CA | $64,403 | $10,440 | $7,183 | 50.2% | 100th |
| California State University-Long Beach shows median earnings of $64,403 ten years after entry and a Pell share of 50%, while its mobility percentile reaches the 100th among nonprofit four-year institutions. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Construction Engineering Technology/Technician (53 graduates), Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians (6 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Construction Engineering Technology/Technician ($103,125) | ||||||
| 25 | SUNY Polytechnic Institute · Utica, NY | $64,355 | $14,164 | $7,442 | 39.6% | 75th |
| SUNY Polytechnic Institute reports median earnings of $64,355 ten years after entry and sits at the 75th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions. | ||||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians (35 graduates), Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians (29 graduates), Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians (20 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians ($76,413), Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians ($74,297), Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians ($73,268) | ||||||
* Net price can be negative: when grants and scholarships exceed the listed cost of attendance, students can receive the difference as a refund for other expenses.
How this list is ordered
Schools first had to sit at or above the 60th percentile on Azimuth's mobility pillar; those that qualified are ordered by the school's median earnings of all students ten years after entry, highest first, as set out on Azimuth's methodology page. The ordering metric is the median earnings of all federally aided students at the institution, working and not enrolled, measured ten years after entry. The list does not measure earnings in any one major or teaching quality. Stanford University posts $124,080, a gap of $15,308 above Stevens Institute of Technology at $108,772, and the spread from top to bottom reaches $85,156.
Job market context in the United States
The occupations linked to Engineering Technology in the United States include roles such as Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers, Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers, and Industrial Engineers. Across those occupations the median annual wage is $83,770, and a quarter of workers in those occupations earn less than $66,898. Projections for 2024 to 2034 put employment in those occupations about 7.0% higher, with about 3,192 openings a year for every hundred graduates, more projected openings than graduates. Wages and top occupations exclude management occupations; openings include them. The ranking above uses graduate earnings, the market figures describe occupations, and the two are not the same measure.
Related rankings
- Engineering Technology Colleges