Compare 11 Mechanical Engineering. programs in Massachusetts. Average earnings: $86,128.
The highest-earning Mechanical Engineering program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $30K earnings gap across 11 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
MIT's Mechanical Engineering program leads with graduates earning $98,644, followed closely by Franklin W Olin College of Engineering at $96,456. The average across all programs is $86,128, but what's striking is how specialized engineering schools compete directly with research universities—Olin's 147-student cohort delivers nearly identical outcomes to MIT's massive program.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. MIT graduates borrow $14,768 and face just a 2.7% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families, Franklin W Olin leads with a 3.6% family burden since students graduate with minimal parent loan debt—proof that the best choice depends on who's paying.
Highest program earnings: $98,644
Strong outcomes with 85% acceptance
2.7% payment burden | Excellent
3.6% family burden | Excellent
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $98,644 | 147 | $14,768 | Excellent | $42,501 | Good | |
| #2 | $96,456 | 36 | $19,500 | Excellent | $0 | Excellent | |
| #3 | Northeastern UniversityPrivate | $91,235 | 250 | $24,250 | Excellent | $34,984 | Manageable |
| #4 | $88,173 | 199 | $23,704 | Excellent | $18,400 | Good | |
| #5 | $86,680 | 113 | $25,028 | Excellent | $65,597 | Challenging | |
| #6 | $85,357 | 189 | $22,763 | Excellent | $26,243 | Good | |
| #7 | Boston UniversityPrivate | $84,331 | 160 | $23,250 | Excellent | $39,000 | Manageable |
| #8 | $83,729 | 262 | $27,000 | Excellent | $53,567 | Challenging | |
| #9 | Tufts UniversityPrivate | $83,448 | 45 | $16,250 | Excellent | $38,325 | Manageable |
| #10 | $80,735 | 52 | $25,000 | Excellent | $22,757 | Manageable | |
| #11 | Merrimack CollegePrivate | $68,615 | 31 | $27,000 | Good | $50,540 | 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 →
