Compare 6 Mechanical Engineering. programs in New Jersey. Average earnings: $81,866.
With top graduates earning $88,283, Mechanical Engineering stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $7K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
Stevens Institute of Technology's Mechanical Engineering program leads with graduates earning $88,283, followed by Princeton at $85,328 and Rutgers-New Brunswick at $84,202. The average across all 6 programs is $81,866, demonstrating remarkably consistent outcomes regardless of institutional prestige—a testament to strong program fundamentals across New Jersey.
For families, the math changes dramatically. Stevens offers a 5.6% student burden, but when parent loans are included, Rutgers-New Brunswick leads with an 11.2% family burden compared to Princeton's 12.6%. All three programs earn 'Excellent' ratings for student affordability, but family borrowing tells a different story.
Highest program earnings: $88,283
Strong outcomes with 65% acceptance
2.3% payment burden | Excellent
11.2% family burden | Good
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $88,283 | 141 | $27,000 | Excellent | $53,192 | Challenging | |
| #2 | Princeton UniversityPrivate | $85,328 | 52 | $10,320 | Excellent | $41,000 | Manageable |
| #3 | $84,202 | 203 | $21,500 | Excellent | $25,294 | Good | |
| #4 | Rowan UniversityPublic | $80,397 | 100 | $20,500 | Excellent | $27,445 | Manageable |
| #5 | $77,327 | 195 | $21,000 | Excellent | $22,866 | Good | |
| #6 | $75,660 | 33 | $23,250 | Excellent | $30,611 | 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 →
