Compare 17 Pre-Engineering. programs in the Northeast. Average earnings: $80,572.
The highest-earning Pre-Engineering program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $60K earnings gap across 17 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand. Franklin W Olin College leads at $114,228, while outcomes vary significantly based on program quality rather than overall school reputation.
At the top, Franklin W Olin College of Engineering produces Pre-Engineering graduates earning $114,228, followed by Cornell at $105,470 and Lafayette College at $92,618. The average across programs is $80,572, yet this specialized field shows how focused engineering schools can outperform broader institutions when it comes to preparing students for engineering careers.
Highest program earnings: $114,228
Strong outcomes ($92,472) with 95% acceptance
2.3% payment burden | Excellent
2.9% family burden | Excellent
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $114,228 | 35 | $19,500 | Excellent | $0 | Excellent | |
| #2 | Cornell UniversityPrivate | $105,470 | 10 | $14,000 | Excellent | $38,000 | Good |
| #3 | Lafayette CollegePrivate | $92,618 | 18 | $16,000 | Excellent | $59,000 | Manageable |
| #4 | $92,472 | 71 | $25,000 | Excellent | $38,678 | Manageable | |
| #5 | Brown UniversityPrivate | $87,937 | 65 | $11,428 | Excellent | $48,245 | Manageable |
| #6 | Elizabethtown CollegePrivate | $82,989 | 24 | $27,000 | Excellent | $51,299 | Challenging |
| #7 | $80,788 | 72 | $25,000 | Excellent | $38,368 | Manageable | |
| #8 | Stony Brook UniversityPublic | $80,280 | 23 | $18,228 | Excellent | $21,400 | Good |
| #9 | $78,613 | 21 | $14,350 | Excellent | $15,568 | Excellent | |
| #10 | $78,264 | 20 | $17,250 | Excellent | $18,928 | Good | |
| #11 | $78,211 | 27 | $25,028 | Excellent | $65,597 | Challenging | |
| #12 | Smith CollegePrivate | $77,485 | 49 | $17,550 | Excellent | $30,366 | Manageable |
| #13 | Northeastern UniversityPrivate | $75,253 | 64 | $24,250 | Excellent | $34,984 | Manageable |
| #14 | Messiah UniversityPrivate | $67,268 | 61 | $25,621 | Excellent | $37,908 | Challenging |
| #15 | Geneva CollegePrivate | $67,254 | 72 | $25,198 | Excellent | $25,183 | Manageable |
| #16 | Saint Vincent CollegePrivate | $64,499 | 14 | $27,000 | Good | $43,823 | High |
| #17 | $53,827 | 19 | $26,000 | Good | $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 →
