by our College Data Analytics Team
[Engineering Science](/majors/engineering/engineering-science/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 schools on the early-career earnings of their engineering science graduates.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send engineering science graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Dartmouth College earned the #1 spot for highest-paid engineering science graduates in the United States. Located in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, engineering science degree recipients from Dartmouth College typically earn about $99,468 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in engineering science will find them at Vanderbilt University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, engineering science degree recipients from Vanderbilt University typically earn about $109,116 annually.
The College Of New Jersey came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying engineering science schools. Set in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a public institution. After graduating, engineering science degree recipients from The College Of New Jersey typically earn about $88,486 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in engineering science will find them at California State University Bakersfield, which ranked #4. California State University Bakersfield is a public school located in the city of Bakersfield. After graduating, engineering science degree recipients from California State University Bakersfield typically earn about $88,102 annually.
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying engineering science schools. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public school located in the city of New Brunswick. Students who complete the engineering science program here go on to a median salary of roughly $113,516.
Harvard University came in at #6 for engineering science graduate earnings this year. Harvard University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Early-career engineering science graduates from Harvard University make a median of around $86,477 per year.
Hofstra University came in at #7 for engineering science graduate earnings this year. Hofstra University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hempstead. Students who complete the engineering science program here go on to a median salary of roughly $95,740.
Trinity University came in at #8 for engineering science graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, Trinity University is a private not-for-profit institution. Engineering Science graduates of Trinity University earn a median of about $74,063 a year early in their careers.
Yale University placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for engineering science. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career engineering science graduates from Yale University make a median of around $73,378 per year.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for engineering science. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a public institution. After graduating, engineering science degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus typically earn about $64,405 annually.
Looking for a different degree level? Compare highest-paid Engineering Science rankings across degree levels:
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries engineering science graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 10 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.