Compare 12 Pre-Engineering. programs in the West. Average earnings: $86,253.
The highest-earning Pre-Engineering program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $33K earnings gap across 12 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand. Graduates earn between $72K and $105K, variation that tracks program quality over school reputation.
At the top, UC Davis produces Pre-Engineering graduates earning $104,701, followed closely by Harvey Mudd at $103,969. The average across programs is $86K, yet this $19K premium demonstrates how specific programs outperform expectations. Stanford rounds out the top three at $96,205, showing even elite schools don't guarantee the highest earnings.
Highest program earnings: $104,701
Strong outcomes with 90% acceptance
2.2% payment burden | Excellent
7.1% family burden | Excellent
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $104,701 | 129 | $13,000 | Excellent | $25,733 | Excellent | |
| #2 | Harvey Mudd CollegePrivate | $103,969 | 68 | $25,000 | Excellent | $33,386 | Good |
| #3 | Stanford UniversityPrivate | $96,205 | 105 | $12,000 | Excellent | $38,333 | Good |
| #4 | $92,058 | 192 | $19,500 | Excellent | $23,519 | Good | |
| #5 | $90,091 | 34 | $16,552 | Excellent | $17,585 | Excellent | |
| #6 | $85,893 | 25 | $22,500 | Excellent | $22,978 | Good | |
| #7 | $84,972 | 65 | $15,500 | Excellent | $24,257 | Good | |
| #8 | $79,387 | 17 | $21,500 | Excellent | $14,786 | Good | |
| #9 | Oregon State UniversityPublic | $78,026 | 27 | $21,221 | Excellent | $28,923 | Manageable |
| #10 | $74,921 | 57 | $18,750 | Excellent | $12,000 | Good | |
| #11 | Fort Lewis CollegePublic | $73,037 | 24 | $18,389 | Excellent | $21,062 | Good |
| #12 | Seattle Pacific UniversityPrivate | $71,770 | 19 | $24,000 | Excellent | $37,687 | 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 →
