Best Bachelor's Degree Programs at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute by ROI
Every Bachelor's Degree major at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs Analyzed
20
Majors with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
+$377,953
Across all programs
Average Annual Cost
$79,934
Cost of attendance
| # | Major | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Computer Science.
Grad rate: 83.5% |
+$1,037,876 | $111,450 | $79,934 | $23,250 | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians.
Grad rate: 83.5% |
+$807,508 | $99,954 | $79,934 | $23,582 | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering.
Grad rate: 83.5% |
+$585,280 | $88,913 | $79,934 | $24,625 | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
Economics.
Grad rate: 83.5% |
+$577,504 | $86,862 | $79,934 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
Mathematics.
Grad rate: 83.5% |
+$506,986 | $84,973 | $79,934 | $24,250 | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
Industrial Engineering.
Grad rate: 83.5% |
+$490,331 | $84,039 | $79,934 | $22,750 | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
Biomedical/Medical Engineering.
Grad rate: 83.5% |
+$480,444 | $83,764 | $79,934 | $26,000 | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering.
Grad rate: 83.5% |
+$425,644 | $79,269 | $79,934 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
Physics.
Grad rate: 83.5% |
+$409,099 | $79,810 | $79,934 | $20,270 | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
Chemical Engineering.
Grad rate: 83.5% |
+$376,185 | $78,506 | $79,934 | $25,332 | Full ROI → |
| 11 |
Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering.
Grad rate: 83.5% |
+$356,054 | $77,477 | $79,934 | $25,000 | Full ROI → |
| 12 |
Nuclear Engineering.
Grad rate: 83.5% |
+$351,499 | $76,878 | $79,934 | $19,500 | Full ROI → |
| 13 |
Mechanical Engineering.
Grad rate: 83.5% |
+$342,374 | $76,793 | $79,934 | $25,000 | Full ROI → |
| 14 |
Materials Engineering
Grad rate: 83.5% |
+$340,476 | $76,580 | $79,934 | $23,250 | Full ROI → |
| 15 |
Civil Engineering.
Grad rate: 83.5% |
+$329,902 | $76,303 | $79,934 | $26,979 | Full ROI → |
| 16 |
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other.
Grad rate: 83.5% |
+$329,474 | $76,283 | $79,934 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 17 |
Business Administration, Management and Operations.
Grad rate: 83.5% |
+$294,564 | $74,470 | $79,934 | $26,000 | Full ROI → |
| 18 |
Architecture.
Grad rate: 83.5% |
-$21,266 | $59,016 | $79,934 | $31,000 | Full ROI → |
| 19 |
Design and Applied Arts.
Grad rate: 83.5% |
-$134,266 | $52,961 | $79,934 | $25,000 | Full ROI → |
| 20 |
Biology, General.
Grad rate: 83.5% |
-$326,603 | $43,460 | $79,934 | $26,717 | 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.