Compare 10 Laser and Optical Engineering. programs in Pennsylvania. Average earnings: $89,415.
The highest-earning Laser and Optical Engineering program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $94K earnings gap across 10 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
Carnegie Mellon University's Laser and Optical Engineering program leads with graduates earning $149,740—well above the $89,415 average. Lehigh University follows at $96,912, while Drexel University rounds out the top three at $91,677, demonstrating that program strength varies independently of overall school rankings.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Carnegie Mellon graduates borrow $21,750 and face just a 2.3% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income, proving top programs can also be affordable.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Carnegie Mellon UniversityPrivate | $149,740 | 140 | $21,750 | Excellent | $37,130 | Excellent |
| #2 | Lehigh UniversityPrivate | $96,912 | 28 | $21,960 | Excellent | $42,245 | Manageable |
| #3 | Drexel UniversityPrivate | $91,677 | 83 | $25,325 | Excellent | $40,932 | Manageable |
| #4 | Lafayette CollegePrivate | $89,804 | 15 | $16,000 | Excellent | $59,000 | Manageable |
| #5 | Temple UniversityPublic | $89,421 | 84 | $24,395 | Excellent | $36,495 | Manageable |
| #6 | Villanova UniversityPrivate | $86,457 | 29 | $25,874 | Excellent | $40,000 | Manageable |
| #7 | $85,235 | 70 | $24,250 | Excellent | $35,031 | Manageable | |
| #8 | $83,362 | 299 | $25,000 | Excellent | $38,368 | Manageable | |
| #9 | Widener UniversityPrivate | $66,029 | 11 | $27,000 | Good | $33,146 | Challenging |
| #10 | $55,512 | 7 | $26,000 | Good | $26,233 | Challenging |
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 →
