Compare 53 Laser and Optical Engineering. programs in the Northeast. Average earnings: $90,359.
Laser and Optical Engineering programs produce graduates earning between $90,244 and $172,897—an $83K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 53 ranked programs in the Northeast, outcomes vary based on program quality, not institutional reputation.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Laser and Optical Engineering program leads with graduates earning $172,897, followed by Carnegie Mellon University at $149,740. The average across all programs is $90,359, yet Rutgers University-New Brunswick ($119,602) demonstrates how public programs compete with elite institutions while offering broader access.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. MIT graduates borrow just $14,768 and face a 1.3% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.09, graduates can clear their student debt with roughly one month of salary.
Highest program earnings: $172,897
Strong outcomes ($119,602) with 65% acceptance
1.3% payment burden | Excellent
5.8% family burden | Excellent
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $172,897 | 44 | $14,768 | Excellent | $42,501 | Excellent | |
| #2 | Carnegie Mellon UniversityPrivate | $149,740 | 140 | $21,750 | Excellent | $37,130 | Excellent |
| #3 | $119,602 | 265 | $21,500 | Excellent | $25,294 | Excellent | |
| #4 | Cornell UniversityPrivate | $118,743 | 100 | $14,000 | Excellent | $38,000 | Good |
| #5 | $108,798 | 33 | $27,000 | Excellent | $53,192 | Manageable | |
| #6 | University Of RochesterPrivate | $103,652 | 59 | $21,000 | Excellent | $30,000 | Good |
| #7 | Tufts UniversityPrivate | $102,976 | 19 | $16,250 | Excellent | $38,325 | Good |
| #8 | $102,236 | 91 | $23,750 | Excellent | $52,241 | Manageable | |
| #9 | Lehigh UniversityPrivate | $96,912 | 28 | $21,960 | Excellent | $42,245 | Manageable |
| #10 | $96,554 | 45 | $21,500 | Excellent | $35,000 | Good | |
| #11 | $96,212 | 48 | $22,763 | Excellent | $26,243 | Good | |
| #12 | Boston UniversityPrivate | $95,438 | 41 | $23,250 | Excellent | $39,000 | Manageable |
| #13 | Northeastern UniversityPrivate | $95,290 | 84 | $24,250 | Excellent | $34,984 | Manageable |
| #14 | $93,956 | 15 | $19,060 | Excellent | $17,050 | Excellent | |
| #15 | $91,722 | 33 | $22,250 | Excellent | $28,000 | Good | |
| #16 | $91,694 | 100 | $27,000 | Excellent | $53,567 | Manageable | |
| #17 | Drexel UniversityPrivate | $91,677 | 83 | $25,325 | Excellent | $40,932 | Manageable |
| #18 | $91,287 | 41 | $25,028 | Excellent | $65,597 | Challenging | |
| #19 | $90,360 | 86 | $21,000 | Excellent | $22,866 | Good | |
| #20 | New York UniversityPrivate | $90,244 | 39 | $20,500 | Excellent | $64,795 | Challenging |
| #21 | $90,218 | 29 | $25,000 | Excellent | $22,757 | Good | |
| #22 | Lafayette CollegePrivate | $89,804 | 15 | $16,000 | Excellent | $59,000 | Manageable |
| #23 | University Of VermontPublic | $89,425 | 25 | $20,951 | Excellent | $48,000 | Manageable |
| #24 | Temple UniversityPublic | $89,421 | 84 | $24,395 | Excellent | $36,495 | Manageable |
| #25 | Suny Maritime CollegePublic | $88,191 | 21 | $23,250 | Excellent | $38,700 | 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 →
