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, a private nonprofit institution, ranks 1st on this list 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 |
| A private nonprofit university in Hoboken, Stevens Institute of Technology reports 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 and reports a 20% share of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants. | ||||||
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 |
| University of Southern California sits at the 95th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions and ranks 4th on this page. | ||||||
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 institution in San Luis Obispo, reports a 19% share of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants. | ||||||
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, a private nonprofit university in Philadelphia, posts an average net price of $38,509. | ||||||
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, a public university in Newark, reports a 40% share of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants. | ||||||
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 |
| Missouri University of Science and Technology ranks 8th on this list and posts an average net price of $16,298. | ||||||
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 |
| A private nonprofit institution in New York, New York University sits at the 93rd percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions. | ||||||
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, a public university in Blacksburg, reports an average net price of $11,689 for families earning under $30,000. | ||||||
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 ranks 11th on this page and shows a 35% share of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants. | ||||||
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 |
| A public university in Houghton, Michigan Technological University sits at the 82nd percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions. | ||||||
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) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians ($83,394) | ||||||
| 13 | Rochester Institute of Technology · Rochester, NY | $76,571 | $34,906 | $24,680 | 27.2% | 80th |
| Rochester Institute of Technology sits at the 80th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports an average net price of $34,906. | ||||||
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 posts an average net price of $5,098 for families earning under $30,000 and a Pell share of 13% of undergraduates. | ||||||
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 |
| Texas A&M University-College Station lists an average net price of $21,315 and sits at the 99th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions. | ||||||
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 a Pell share of 46% of undergraduates and an average net price of $11,531, ranking 16th on this list. | ||||||
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 shows an average net price of $1,982 for families earning under $30,000 and a Pell share of 22% of undergraduates. | ||||||
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 sits at the 89th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports an average net price of $22,253. | ||||||
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, with a Pell share of 36% of undergraduates and an average net price of $10,867. | ||||||
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 posts an average net price of $6,382 for families earning under $30,000 and sits at the 95th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions. | ||||||
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 lists an average net price of $19,680 and a Pell share of 20% of undergraduates, ranking 21st on this list. | ||||||
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 sits at the 98th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions and posts an average net price of $9,910 for families earning under $30,000. | ||||||
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 ranks 23rd on this list, with a Pell share of 30% of undergraduates and an average net price of $17,163. | ||||||
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 lists an average net price of $10,440 and sits at the 100th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index 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 ranks 25th on this list 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 figure covers all federally aided students at the institution who are working and not enrolled, measured ten years after entry. It does not adjust for cost or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. Stanford University reports $124,080, which is $15,308 above the $108,772 posted by Stevens Institute of Technology.
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