Manufacturing Engineering programs
CIP 1436 · Engineering · ranked by median earnings four years after completion
16 institutions report graduate earnings for Manufacturing Engineering programs (College Scorecard, 2024-25). Across them the median is $88,995 four years after completion, with a typical debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.25× and 96% of graduates earning above the federal earnings threshold. Indicatively, all 17 programs with a benchmark clear the earnings-premium benchmark used by the 2025 federal test (effective July 1, 2026).
| # | Institution | Earn 4yr | % > threshold | Median debt | Debt/earn | Earnings premium | 2 of 3 yrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Southern Methodist UniversityTX · Master's | $141,296 n=23 | 97% 1yr | — | — | Above +115% | — |
| 2 | California State University-NorthridgeCA · Master's | $129,151 n=18 | — | — | — | Above +72% | — |
| 3 | University of Wisconsin-StoutWI · Master's | $114,649 n=16 | 96% 1yr | — | — | Above +86% | — |
| 4 | Northwestern UniversityIL · Bachelor's | $97,819 n=21 | — | — | — | Above +159% | — |
| 5 | National UniversityCA · Bachelor's | $97,525 n=19 | — | — | — | Above +154% | — |
| 6 | Grand Valley State UniversityMI · Bachelor's | $95,416 n=22 | 96% 1yr | $24,250 | 0.25× | Above +172% | — |
| 7 | California State Polytechnic University-PomonaCA · Bachelor's | $93,042 n=31 | 85% 5yr | $19,000 | 0.20× | Above +142% | Clears 2/2 |
| 8 | Brigham Young UniversityUT · Bachelor's | $92,122 n=65 | 95% 5yr | $11,000 | 0.12× | Above +131% | Clears 2/2 |
| 9 | Texas State UniversityTX · Bachelor's | $88,995 n=52 | 96% 5yr | $19,750 | 0.22× | Above +149% | Clears 2/2 |
| 10 | Bradley UniversityIL · Bachelor's | $88,690 n=26 | 96% 5yr | $27,000 | 0.30× | Above +135% | Clears 2/2 |
| 11 | University of Wisconsin-StoutWI · Bachelor's | $87,431 n=35 | 96% 5yr | $25,200 | 0.29× | Above +124% | Clears 2/2 |
| 12 | Arizona State University Campus ImmersionAZ · Bachelor's | $85,911 n=16 | 100% 1yr | $23,352 | 0.27× | Above +134% | — |
| 13 | Oregon State UniversityOR · Bachelor's | $85,369 n=16 | 95% 5yr | $20,653 | 0.24× | Above +132% | Clears 2/2 |
| 14 | Oregon State University-Cascades CampusOR · Bachelor's | $85,369 n=16 | 95% 5yr | $20,653 | 0.24× | Above +132% | Clears 2/2 |
| 15 | Western Washington UniversityWA · Bachelor's | $85,314 n=22 | 90% 1yr | $21,323 | 0.25× | Above +100% | — |
| 16 | Ferris State UniversityMI · Bachelor's | $80,996 n=54 | 97% 5yr | $16,052 | 0.20× | Above +131% | Clears 2/2 |
| 17 | Robert Morris UniversityPA · Bachelor's | $74,446 n=23 | 100% 1yr | $27,000 | 0.36× | Above +98% | — |
% > threshold is ED's own share of graduates earning above the federal earnings threshold, taken from the best available measurement window (4-, 5- or 1-year) pooled across all nine College Scorecard Field-of-Study releases; a chip marks any figure not on the 4-year window. Earnings premium compares median earnings four years out to the U.S. Census ACS median for a high-school graduate (undergraduate credentials) or bachelor's-degree holder (graduate credentials) in the institution's state. 2 of 3 yrs flags programs below that benchmark in two of the latest three reported cohort-years — the statutory trigger under the 2025 federal earnings-premium test (effective July 1, 2026). Indicative estimates; the Department of Education's official determination may differ. Figures lag the current year by 2–3 years.
| State | Median earn 4yr | Programs |
|---|---|---|
| California | $97,525 | 3 |
States with at least 3 reporting Manufacturing Engineering programs, by median graduate earnings.
Which colleges have the highest-paying Manufacturing Engineering programs?
By median earnings four years after completion, the highest-paying Manufacturing Engineering programs in this dataset are Southern Methodist University ($141,296), California State University-Northridge ($129,151), University of Wisconsin-Stout ($114,649). Earnings reflect College Scorecard field-of-study data (2024-25) and vary by credential level and location.
Are Manufacturing Engineering programs at risk under the federal earnings-premium test?
Indicatively, 0 of the 17 Manufacturing Engineering programs with both earnings and a state/national benchmark have median graduate earnings below the earnings-premium benchmark used by the 2025 federal test (effective July 1, 2026), under which a program can lose Title IV eligibility if its graduates earn less than a typical worker without the credential for 2 of 3 years. This estimate uses College Scorecard earnings vs U.S. Census ACS medians; the Department of Education's official determination uses its own cohort definition and may differ.
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Source: U.S. Department of Education — College Scorecard Field of Study, 2014–15 through 2022–23 cohorts plus the most-recent snapshot (2024-25); threshold pass-rates pooled across all nine releases. Earnings-premium benchmarks from the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS). Compiled by Ibex Insights. See the methodology.