Compare 13 Laser and Optical Technology/Technician. programs in the Northeast. Average earnings: $75,077.
The highest-earning Laser and Optical Technology/Technician program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $36K earnings gap across 13 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
Pace University's Laser and Optical Technology program leads with graduates earning $88,639, well above the $75,077 average. University of Maine follows at $85,676 with a 96% acceptance rate, while Rochester Institute of Technology rounds out the top three at $84,292—proving accessible programs compete directly with selective ones.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. CUNY New York City College of Technology graduates borrow $10,533 and face just a 2.4% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their $83,092 post-grad income.
Highest program earnings: $88,639
Strong outcomes ($88,639) with 77% acceptance
2.4% payment burden | Excellent
4.9% family burden | Excellent
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Pace UniversityPrivate | $88,639 | 12 | $23,250 | Excellent | $46,275 | Manageable |
| #2 | University Of MainePublic | $85,676 | 20 | $25,000 | Excellent | $21,900 | Good |
| #3 | $84,292 | 16 | $26,778 | Excellent | $35,625 | Manageable | |
| #4 | $83,570 | 11 | $25,000 | Excellent | $38,368 | Manageable | |
| #5 | $83,092 | 30 | $10,533 | Excellent | $9,563 | Excellent | |
| #6 | $82,564 | 8 | $21,028 | Excellent | $12,951 | Good | |
| #7 | Point Park UniversityPrivate | $80,697 | 5 | $27,000 | Excellent | $24,041 | Manageable |
| #8 | $75,888 | 46 | $14,718 | Excellent | $18,349 | Good | |
| #9 | $72,559 | 24 | $17,250 | Excellent | $18,928 | Good | |
| #10 | $66,172 | 11 | $23,725 | Excellent | $17,794 | Manageable | |
| #11 | $60,839 | 11 | $25,028 | Good | $65,597 | High | |
| #12 | University Of HartfordPrivate | $59,908 | 16 | $27,000 | Good | $44,000 | High |
| #13 | $52,107 | 13 | $26,000 | Manageable | $34,260 | High |
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 →
