by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Engineering](/majors/engineering/general-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 schools on the early-career earnings of their general engineering graduates.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose general engineering graduates go on to earn the most.
Leading the list is University Of California Los Angeles, our #1 for general engineering graduate salaries in California. University Of California Los Angeles is a public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students who complete the general engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $160,755.
Strong graduate earnings at Harvey Mudd College earned it the #2 place for general engineering. Located in the suburb of Claremont, Harvey Mudd College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the general engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $123,894.
University Of The Pacific produces some of the highest-paid graduates in general engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of The Pacific is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Stockton. Early-career general engineering graduates from University Of The Pacific make a median of around $137,805 per year.
El Camino Community College District produces some of the highest-paid graduates in general engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. El Camino Community College District is a public school located in the suburb of Torrance. Students who complete the general engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $68,630.
Students chasing top earnings in general engineering will find them at University Of California Riverside, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a public institution. Students who complete the general engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $102,364.
Orange Coast College landed the #6 spot for general engineering salaries this year. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a public institution. Students who complete the general engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $58,298.
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries general engineering 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 · 6 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.