Compare 7 Materials Engineering. programs in the Northeast. Average earnings: $84,363.
With top graduates earning $96,476, Materials Engineering stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $12K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
University of Pennsylvania's Materials Engineering program leads with graduates earning $96,476, followed by Cornell at $90,216. The average across all 7 Northeast programs is $84,363, but the variation demonstrates that program-specific factors drive outcomes more than overall institutional rankings.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Cornell graduates borrow $14,000 and face just a 2.8% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families, University of Pennsylvania leads with a 10.0% family burden—proof that the best choice depends on who's paying.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University Of PennsylvaniaPrivate | $96,476 | 19 | $15,715 | Excellent | $33,124 | Good |
| #2 | Cornell UniversityPrivate | $90,216 | 21 | $14,000 | Excellent | $38,000 | Good |
| #3 | $89,925 | 28 | $14,768 | Excellent | $42,501 | Manageable | |
| #4 | Drexel UniversityPrivate | $86,535 | 24 | $25,325 | Excellent | $40,932 | Manageable |
| #5 | $77,181 | 26 | $23,750 | Excellent | $52,241 | Challenging | |
| #6 | $76,010 | 33 | $21,500 | Excellent | $35,324 | Manageable | |
| #7 | Lehigh UniversityPrivate | $74,200 | 26 | $21,960 | Excellent | $42,245 | 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 →
