Rankings / By State
Best Engineering Colleges in Pennsylvania
- 37
- Schools
- $69,396
- Avg. Earnings
- 61%
- Avg. Graduation
- $25,167
- Avg. Net Price
- $23,803
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $50,004 at the low end to $114,862 at the top. That 2.3× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Fayette- Eberly offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $63,435 against $14,596 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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The most budget-friendly option on this list is Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, at $14,104 annually in net price.
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Completion rates separate this field: University of Pennsylvania graduates 97% of its students, well above the 61% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor University of Pennsylvania: graduates owe only 0.14× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology ($14,104/yr) and Villanova University ($43,756/yr) produce graduates earning $54,681 and $100,423 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $29,652 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Fayette- Eberly outperforms Carnegie Mellon University: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
- Completion is where this ranking's schools diverge most: University of Pennsylvania graduates 97% of its students versus 17% at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona. Access without completion is opportunity unclaimed.
The Takeaway
The schools that win this ranking are not the priciest or the most selective. They turn students into earners without burying them in debt, which is exactly what our outcomes-first methodology is built to surface.
What This Means for Students
If you are choosing from this list, start with Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Fayette- Eberly and University of Pennsylvania. Pull each school's net price for your income band, weigh projected earnings against the debt you would take on, and let payoff rather than prestige drive your shortlist.
Why this ranking matters
Engineering is one of the higher-return fields in the economy, but the payoff depends heavily on where you study it. Graduates of these programs earn a median of about $63K within a decade, and mechanical engineer roles are projected to grow 10%. We rank programs by the outcomes they produce for graduates, not by reputation.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Carnegie Mellon University #1 overall | $114,862 ▲ +66% vs avg | $31,944 | 93% | 90 |
| 2 Lafayette College #2 overall | $91,410 ▲ +32% vs avg | $34,433 | 88% | 86 |
| 3 University of Pennsylvania #3 overall | $111,371 ▲ +60% vs avg | $28,699 | 97% | 85 |
| $105,584 ▲ +52% vs avg | $36,931 | 89% | 83 | |
| $80,257 ▲ +16% vs avg | $23,149 | 93% | 81 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Engineering Colleges in Pennsylvania
This analysis ranks 37 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $69,396 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 61% and an average net price of $25,167.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Fayette- Eberly — Net Price: $14,596 | Graduation Rate: 36%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: University of Pennsylvania — 97% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Carnegie Mellon University — Median alumni earnings: $114,862
Our Analysis Found
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Engineering Talent Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about America’s engineering talent pipeline?
$63,435
Median earnings (10yr)
65%
Median graduation rate
$23,518
Median net price
1.6%
Avg. mobility rate
Engineering remains one of the most reliable investments in higher education. Earnings are high, unemployment is low, and the skills tie directly to the physical infrastructure of the economy. ABET accreditation and co-op placements are the structural markers that separate programs, and reshoring plus federal infrastructure investment keeps amplifying demand.
Across the 37 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $63,435 ten years after they first enrolled, about $15,435 more than the roughly $48,000 a typical American worker takes home. The median graduation rate is 65%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $23,518 a year, with about $25,000 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 26% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 1.6%.
Engineering programs that combine ABET accreditation with co-op or internship requirements produce the strongest outcomes. Median earnings of $63,435 reflect the field’s consistent premium over other disciplines. With infrastructure spending accelerating, demand for these graduates is structural rather than cyclical.
The podium
Build your ranking
Drag a pillar — schools re-rank live.
Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Carnegie Mellon University lands at #1 with a 90/100 composite, led by academic quality (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $114,862 a decade after enrolling, 66% above this list's average, and net price runs $31,944 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Lafayette College lands at #2 with a 86/100 composite, led by academic quality (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $91,410 a decade after enrolling, 32% above this list's average, and net price runs $34,433 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
University of Pennsylvania lands at #3 with a 85/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (74/100). Graduates earn a median $111,371 a decade after enrolling, 60% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,699 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Lehigh University lands at #4 with a 83/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $105,584 a decade after enrolling, 52% above this list's average, and net price runs $36,931 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Swarthmore College lands at #5 with a 81/100 composite, led by academic quality (94/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (70/100). Graduates earn a median $80,257 a decade after enrolling, 16% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,149 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Bucknell University lands at #6 with a 80/100 composite, led by academic quality (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $93,807 a decade after enrolling, 35% above this list's average, and net price runs $40,766 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Villanova University lands at #7 with a 78/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (41/100). Graduates earn a median $100,423 a decade after enrolling, 45% above this list's average, and net price runs $43,756 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Widener University lands at #8 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (41/100). Graduates earn a median $70,920 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,759 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown lands at #9 with a 70/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (70/100) and pulled down by social mobility (57/100). Graduates earn a median $66,125 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,202 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Elizabethtown College lands at #10 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $62,399 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $26,598 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Messiah University lands at #11 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (45/100). Graduates earn a median $54,064 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $26,502 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Millersville, PA · 86% accepted · $20,787 net
Why it ranks #12
Millersville University of Pennsylvania lands at #12 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $55,246 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,787 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Dallas, PA · 97% accepted · $16,448 net
Why it ranks #13
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre lands at #13 with a 69/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $63,435 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,448 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Gannon University lands at #14 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $58,845 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,553 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Shippensburg, PA · 87% accepted · $23,726 net
Why it ranks #15
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania lands at #15 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $56,351 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,726 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Robert Morris University lands at #16 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $62,105 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,003 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Wilkes University lands at #17 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (36/100). Graduates earn a median $63,454 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $27,743 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Johnson College lands at #18 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $55,194 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,954 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Drexel University lands at #19 with a 67/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (77/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (33/100). Graduates earn a median $84,648 a decade after enrolling, 22% above this list's average, and net price runs $38,509 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
York College of Pennsylvania lands at #20 with a 67/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (67/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (55/100). Graduates earn a median $61,012 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,556 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
Geneva College lands at #21 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $50,004 a decade after enrolling, 28% below this list's average, and net price runs $25,890 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Erie, PA · 97% accepted · $24,558 net
Why it ranks #22
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College lands at #22 with a 67/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $63,435 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $24,558 a year. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
King's College lands at #23 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $59,498 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,093 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Middletown, PA · 98% accepted · $23,330 net
Why it ranks #24
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg lands at #24 with a 67/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $63,435 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,330 a year. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Lancaster, PA · 71% accepted · $14,104 net
Why it ranks #25
Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology lands at #25 with a 66/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (72/100) and pulled down by social mobility (55/100). Graduates earn a median $54,681 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,104 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
University Park, PA · 61% accepted · $32,875 net
Why it ranks #26
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus lands at #26 with a 65/100 composite, led by academic quality (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $63,435 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $32,875 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Pittsburgh, PA · 58% accepted · $30,434 net
Why it ranks #27
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus lands at #27 with a 64/100 composite, led by academic quality (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $66,125 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $30,434 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Lemont Furnace, PA · 95% accepted · $14,596 net
Why it ranks #28
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Fayette- Eberly lands at #28 with a 62/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $63,435 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,596 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Reading, PA · 99% accepted · $24,356 net
Why it ranks #29
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks lands at #29 with a 62/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $63,435 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $24,356 a year. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Hazleton, PA · 96% accepted · $17,597 net
Why it ranks #30
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Hazleton lands at #30 with a 59/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $63,435 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,597 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Media, PA · 98% accepted · $22,585 net
Why it ranks #31
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Brandywine lands at #31 with a 58/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $63,435 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,585 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #32
Saint Vincent College lands at #32 with a 58/100 composite, led by academic quality (78/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (43/100). Graduates earn a median $59,982 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,510 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Altoona, PA · 98% accepted · $22,213 net
Why it ranks #33
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona lands at #33 with a 58/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $63,435 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,213 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Dunmore, PA · 99% accepted · $17,910 net
Why it ranks #34
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Scranton lands at #34 with a 57/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by social mobility (39/100). Graduates earn a median $63,435 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,910 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #35
Saint Francis University lands at #35 with a 55/100 composite, led by academic quality (78/100) and pulled down by social mobility (37/100). Graduates earn a median $62,101 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,526 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
DuBois, PA · 97% accepted · $17,428 net
Why it ranks #36
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State DuBois lands at #36 with a 53/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by social mobility (31/100). Graduates earn a median $63,435 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,428 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #37
Grove City College lands at #37 with a 46/100 composite, led by value per dollar (100/100) and pulled down by social mobility (51/100). Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 36 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs — and the jobs are
Where these graduates work
Graduates of these programs most often become Mechanical Engineers and related roles — a field with $99,510 median pay and 10% projected growth.
See the Mechanical Engineer career guide →Engineering programs in Pennsylvania are a strong choice for students looking to blend rigorous academics with practical applications. With 32 schools offering these programs, students have a variety of options to consider as they weigh their future. In fact, graduates from these programs see average earnings of $70,572, which highlights the potential financial return on their educational investment.
What sets the top schools apart? It's not just about the prestige of the institution; key factors include graduation rates, post-graduation earnings, debt levels, and opportunities for upward mobility. For instance, Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pennsylvania both have high graduation rates of 93% and 97%, respectively, but their debt levels and net prices also vary significantly. Understanding these nuances can help students and families make informed choices.
Consider this: Carnegie Mellon graduates earn an impressive $114,862 on average, yet they face a net price of $31,944 and a debt of $21,750. In contrast, Lafayette College has lower earnings at $91,410, but a higher net price of $34,433 and a debt level of $16,000. These differences illustrate how important it is to weigh both earnings potential and financial obligations when choosing an engineering program.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
Social mobility carries the heaviest weight in this ranking, and the measure comes from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built from more than 30 million anonymized tax records. Across the 19 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 1.6%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. Wilkes University leads the group at 2.9%, with Robert Morris University (2.5%) and Swarthmore College (2.3%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 5.6% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. King's College enrolls the most, at 20%, a sign it is reaching the students mobility is meant to lift. A high mobility rate paired with strong access is the combination that changes a generation's trajectory.
For the low-income students who do enroll, the success rate (the odds of reaching the top quintile) averages 35.8% across the list, peaking at 58.5% at Lafayette College.
These campuses can also be measured on social capital: the cross-class friendships Opportunity Insights links to long-run economic outcomes. Economic connectedness here averages 1.71, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and University of Pennsylvania is highest at 1.88.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
When we look closely at the data, a clear pattern emerges: Carnegie Mellon University outperforms the competition with an impressive average earnings figure, but this comes with a higher debt level compared to schools like Swarthmore College, which has a lower earnings figure but also a lower debt. This raises a crucial question: is the higher earning potential worth the additional financial burden?
As you sift through the rankings, think critically about your priorities. Location, program fit, and campus culture should weigh heavily alongside these financial metrics. If you're drawn to a school with a higher net price but also higher earning potential, consider how that aligns with your long-term financial goals. A school’s community and resources can greatly influence your experience, so take the time to visit campuses and talk to current students.
Ultimately, choosing an engineering program is a significant decision that can shape a family’s financial future. A degree from a high-earning program can provide a pathway to financial security, but it’s important to find a balance between potential earnings and manageable debt. One family's decision can set the stage for their student's career, underscoring the importance of thoughtful consideration in this process.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Engineering Colleges in Pennsylvania: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Engineering Colleges in Pennsylvania ranking? +
Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Engineering Colleges in Pennsylvania ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $114,862 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 93% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Carnegie Mellon University posts the highest median earnings on this list: $114,862 ten years after enrollment, well above the $69,396 average across the 36 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Fayette- Eberly leads: graduates earn a median $63,435 against net price of about $14,596 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
University of Pennsylvania has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 97%, compared with a 61% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $25,167 a year across the 36 ranked schools with cost data. Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology is among the most affordable at roughly $14,104. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Engineering Colleges in Pennsylvania ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 37 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
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