Compare 21 Pre-Engineering. programs in the South. Average earnings: $73,387.
With top graduates earning $91,074, Pre-Engineering stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $18K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
McNeese State University's Pre-Engineering program leads with graduates earning $91,074, followed by Texas Christian at $89,278. The average across 21 southern programs is $73,387, yet regional publics like McNeese compete directly with selective private institutions while delivering superior value.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Mcneese State UniversityPublic | $91,074 | 94 | $23,000 | Excellent | $13,410 | Excellent |
| #2 | Texas Christian UniversityPrivate | $89,278 | 55 | $21,500 | Excellent | $54,925 | Manageable |
| #3 | $86,814 | 38 | $20,500 | Excellent | $20,305 | Good | |
| #4 | $85,817 | 40 | $19,000 | Excellent | $35,200 | Manageable | |
| #5 | John Brown UniversityPrivate | $81,976 | 19 | $21,250 | Excellent | $18,650 | Good |
| #6 | Loyola University MarylandPrivate | $80,796 | 39 | $27,000 | Excellent | $50,344 | Challenging |
| #7 | Mercer UniversityPrivate | $80,421 | 146 | $24,199 | Excellent | $20,000 | Good |
| #8 | East Carolina UniversityPublic | $77,366 | 134 | $22,750 | Excellent | $19,710 | Good |
| #9 | James Madison UniversityPublic | $77,261 | 78 | $20,093 | Excellent | $37,285 | Manageable |
| #10 | $75,774 | 10 | $17,500 | Excellent | $28,903 | Manageable | |
| #11 | Auburn UniversityPublic | $74,157 | 5 | $21,000 | Excellent | $43,605 | Challenging |
| #12 | $73,839 | 19 | $27,000 | Excellent | $24,886 | Manageable | |
| #13 | Marshall UniversityPublic | $73,482 | 23 | $23,250 | Excellent | $13,944 | Good |
| #14 | $70,281 | 37 | $21,024 | Excellent | $13,218 | Good | |
| #15 | $68,045 | 33 | $22,142 | Excellent | $25,567 | Manageable | |
| #16 | $63,997 | 49 | $20,121 | Excellent | $23,000 | Manageable | |
| #17 | $63,830 | 11 | $26,000 | Good | $34,374 | Challenging | |
| #18 | $63,005 | 38 | $21,105 | Excellent | $21,004 | Manageable | |
| #19 | $62,244 | 34 | $21,868 | Excellent | $18,241 | Manageable | |
| #20 | Oral Roberts UniversityPrivate | $57,318 | 33 | $27,000 | Good | $28,450 | Challenging |
| #21 | $44,356 | 16 | $27,000 | Manageable | $25,775 | 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 →
