Best Engineering, Other Degrees in the US by ROI
Top colleges ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment across all active states. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs Analyzed
15
Colleges with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
+$414,358
Across all programs
Average Annual Cost
$37,892
Cost of attendance
| # | College | State | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Grad rate: 88.7% |
MA | +$677,968 | $91,034 | $75,678 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
Massachusetts Maritime Academy
Grad rate: 79.2% |
MA | +$627,201 | $82,693 | $37,721 | $26,500 | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
Ohio State University-Main Campus
Grad rate: 87.9% |
OH | +$602,940 | $79,496 | $29,320 | $22,000 | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
California State University-Chico
Grad rate: 63.9% |
CA | +$554,370 | $76,389 | $25,590 | $23,000 | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
University of Maryland-College Park
Grad rate: 88.9% |
MD | +$547,695 | $76,265 | $28,073 | $18,750 | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
Oregon Institute of Technology
Grad rate: 58.1% |
OR | +$491,360 | $71,903 | $26,675 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
Colorado State University Pueblo
Grad rate: 36.4% |
CO | +$468,186 | $72,280 | $23,891 | $31,000 | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
Oregon State University-Cascades Campus
Grad rate: 53.7% |
OR | +$461,906 | $72,680 | $27,461 | $31,000 | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
Indiana University-Indianapolis
Grad rate: 55.1% |
IN | +$458,146 | $71,173 | $22,216 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
Oregon State University
Grad rate: 70.3% |
OR | +$452,046 | $72,680 | $29,926 | $31,000 | Full ROI → |
| 11 |
University of Silicon Valley
Grad rate: 40.5% |
CA | +$321,296 | $65,337 | $36,361 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 12 |
University of California-San Diego
Grad rate: 87.7% |
CA | +$315,452 | $66,337 | $36,325 | $19,250 | Full ROI → |
| 13 |
Stanford University
Grad rate: 94.0% |
CA | +$240,607 | $70,969 | $82,162 | $7,500 | Full ROI → |
| 14 |
Western Michigan University
Grad rate: 56.5% |
MI | +$38,420 | $49,652 | $28,655 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 15 |
Johnson & Wales University-Providence
Grad rate: 56.9% |
RI | -$42,210 | $53,378 | $58,330 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost − Debt Payoff (×1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20). Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.
Find Best Engineering, Other Degrees by State
Browse Engineering, Other programs ranked by 20-year ROI in every state that offers this degree.