Compare 18 Laser and Optical Engineering. programs in New York. Average earnings: $86,150.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Laser and Optical Engineering tells a different story. Across 18 programs, earnings range from $59,350 to $118,743—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
Cornell University's Laser and Optical Engineering program leads with graduates earning $118,743, well above the $86,150 average. University of Rochester follows at $103,652, while Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute reaches $102,236—demonstrating that specialized engineering outcomes depend on program strength, not institutional prestige alone.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Cornell graduates borrow $14,000 and face just a 2.0% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families considering parent loans, CUNY City College leads with a 7.5% family burden, proving the best choice depends on who's paying.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Cornell UniversityPrivate | $118,743 | 100 | $14,000 | Excellent | $38,000 | Good |
| #2 | University Of RochesterPrivate | $103,652 | 59 | $21,000 | Excellent | $30,000 | Good |
| #3 | $102,236 | 91 | $23,750 | Excellent | $52,241 | Manageable | |
| #4 | $96,554 | 45 | $21,500 | Excellent | $35,000 | Good | |
| #5 | New York UniversityPrivate | $90,244 | 39 | $20,500 | Excellent | $64,795 | Challenging |
| #6 | Suny Maritime CollegePublic | $88,191 | 21 | $23,250 | Excellent | $38,700 | Manageable |
| #7 | Clarkson UniversityPrivate | $86,330 | 40 | $26,000 | Excellent | $36,890 | Manageable |
| #8 | $85,742 | 26 | $18,750 | Excellent | $23,871 | Good | |
| #9 | $84,896 | 138 | $26,778 | Excellent | $35,625 | Manageable | |
| #10 | Syracuse UniversityPrivate | $84,494 | 16 | $26,000 | Excellent | $39,841 | Manageable |
| #11 | University At BuffaloPublic | $83,785 | 133 | $19,000 | Excellent | $20,734 | Good |
| #12 | Binghamton UniversityPublic | $83,592 | 52 | $18,500 | Excellent | $27,270 | Good |
| #13 | Stony Brook UniversityPublic | $82,169 | 53 | $18,228 | Excellent | $21,400 | Good |
| #14 | Manhattan CollegePrivate | $81,744 | 20 | $26,000 | Excellent | $56,630 | Challenging |
| #15 | Cuny City CollegePublic | $81,425 | 68 | $11,990 | Excellent | $17,460 | Excellent |
| #16 | $74,159 | 78 | $23,334 | Excellent | $39,731 | Challenging | |
| #17 | Union CollegePrivate | $63,392 | 9 | $25,337 | Good | $57,000 | High |
| #18 | $59,350 | 26 | $14,350 | Excellent | $15,568 | Manageable |
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 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
