Compare 83 Laser and Optical Engineering. programs in the South. Average earnings: $83,390.
Laser and Optical Engineering programs produce graduates earning between $89,597 and $139,102—a $49K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 84 ranked programs in the South, outcomes vary based on program quality, not institutional reputation.
Rice University's Laser and Optical Engineering program leads with graduates earning $139,102, well above the regional average of $83,124. Johns Hopkins follows at $110,524, while UT Austin delivers $106,557 with a much larger cohort of 358 students—proving that program excellence isn't limited to small, selective programs.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Rice graduates borrow $11,000 and face just a 1.3% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. Their debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.08 means graduates can clear their student loans with less than one month's salary, making loan payments trivial relative to their income.
Highest program earnings: $139,102
Strong outcomes ($99,262) with 74% acceptance
1.3% payment burden | Excellent
6.1% family burden | Excellent
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Rice UniversityPrivate | $139,102 | 38 | $11,000 | Excellent | $35,338 | Excellent |
| #2 | Johns Hopkins UniversityPrivate | $110,524 | 16 | $10,250 | Excellent | $29,048 | Excellent |
| #3 | $106,557 | 358 | $20,500 | Excellent | $26,632 | Good | |
| #4 | $103,662 | 29 | $17,500 | Excellent | $28,903 | Good | |
| #5 | $99,262 | 69 | $20,500 | Excellent | $25,645 | Good | |
| #6 | $98,879 | 239 | $17,804 | Excellent | $32,258 | Good | |
| #7 | $96,527 | 86 | $22,750 | Excellent | $48,666 | Manageable | |
| #8 | $96,402 | 197 | $21,672 | Excellent | $32,216 | Good | |
| #9 | $94,376 | 37 | $22,300 | Excellent | $20,498 | Good | |
| #10 | University Of HoustonPublic | $92,968 | 91 | $18,194 | Excellent | $18,072 | Excellent |
| #11 | $92,354 | 133 | $21,500 | Excellent | $35,325 | Manageable | |
| #12 | $91,966 | 39 | $24,929 | Excellent | $26,683 | Good | |
| #13 | $91,700 | 32 | $22,934 | Excellent | $14,224 | Excellent | |
| #14 | University Of FloridaPublic | $91,478 | 130 | $15,000 | Excellent | $18,837 | Excellent |
| #15 | George Mason UniversityPublic | $91,169 | 76 | $19,500 | Excellent | $25,142 | Good |
| #16 | $90,895 | 27 | $27,000 | Excellent | $16,012 | Good | |
| #17 | $90,430 | 28 | $21,500 | Excellent | $23,585 | Good | |
| #18 | $89,937 | 121 | $19,000 | Excellent | $35,200 | Manageable | |
| #19 | $89,918 | 64 | $22,142 | Excellent | $25,567 | Good | |
| #20 | Texas State UniversityPublic | $89,597 | 87 | $21,000 | Excellent | $22,500 | Good |
| #21 | $89,049 | 145 | $18,000 | Excellent | $21,495 | Good | |
| #22 | $88,939 | 42 | $19,500 | Excellent | $17,353 | Good | |
| #23 | $88,715 | 22 | $19,500 | Excellent | $40,025 | Manageable | |
| #24 | $88,692 | 105 | $18,000 | Excellent | $11,916 | Excellent | |
| #25 | $88,625 | 135 | $18,190 | Excellent | $16,036 | Excellent |
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 →
