by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Engineering](/majors/engineering/general-engineering/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. The schools below stand out for the salaries their general engineering graduates go on to command.
College Factual analyzed 3 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying general engineering schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose general engineering graduates go on to earn the most.
Leading the list is Olivet Nazarene University, our #1 for general engineering graduate salaries in Illinois. Olivet Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bourbonnais. Students who complete the general engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $92,885.
Students chasing top earnings in general engineering will find them at Western Illinois University, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a public institution. Students who complete the general engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $66,112.
Elgin Community College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in general engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a public institution. Students who complete the general engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $46,125.
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their general engineering graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 3 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.