by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Engineering](/majors/engineering/general-engineering/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 24 schools to find where general engineering graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send general engineering graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
University Of California Los Angeles earned the #1 spot for highest-paid general engineering graduates in the United States. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. After graduating, general engineering degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles typically earn about $160,755 annually.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Colorado Boulder one of the highest-paying schools for general engineering. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a public institution. Students who complete the general engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $154,338.
Students chasing top earnings in general engineering will find them at University Of Wisconsin Madison, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. General Engineering graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of about $133,037 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in general engineering will find them at University Of Nebraska Lincoln, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public institution. Early-career general engineering graduates from University Of Nebraska Lincoln make a median of around $133,929 per year.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Maryland College Park one of the highest-paying schools for general engineering. University Of Maryland College Park is a public school located in the suburb of College Park. Students who complete the general engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $134,125.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #6 for general engineering graduate earnings this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public school located in the city of Raleigh. After graduating, general engineering degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh typically earn about $114,929 annually.
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for general engineering. Located in the city of Colorado Springs, University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a public institution. Early-career general engineering graduates from University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs make a median of around $114,220 per year.
University Of Connecticut placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for general engineering. Located in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a public institution. Students who complete the general engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $124,526.
University Of The Pacific came in at #9 for general engineering graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Stockton, University Of The Pacific is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the general engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $137,805.
University Of Arkansas came in at #10 for general engineering graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a public institution. After graduating, general engineering degree recipients from University Of Arkansas typically earn about $109,446 annually.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general engineering schools. Located in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a public institution. Students who complete the general engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $128,054.
Northeastern University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general engineering schools. Set in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general engineering degree recipients from Northeastern University typically earn about $133,840 annually.
Arizona State University came in at #13 for general engineering graduate earnings this year. Arizona State University is a public school located in the city of Tempe. General Engineering graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of about $104,294 a year early in their careers.
Arizona State University Skysong ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general engineering schools. Located in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a public institution. Students who complete the general engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $104,294.
University Of Louisiana Lafayette landed the #15 spot for general engineering salaries this year. University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a public school located in the city of Lafayette. Students who complete the general engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $104,079.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville placed #16 among the highest-paying schools for general engineering. Set in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a public institution. Early-career general engineering graduates from University Of Wisconsin Platteville make a median of around $112,412 per year.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earned the #17 position for general engineering graduate earnings this year. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public school located in the city of Milwaukee. Students who complete the general engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $115,746.
University Of California Riverside came in at #18 for general engineering graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a public institution. After graduating, general engineering degree recipients from University Of California Riverside typically earn about $102,364 annually.
Case Western Reserve University came in at #19 for general engineering graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general engineering degree recipients from Case Western Reserve University typically earn about $100,475 annually.
Colorado State University Fort Collins placed #20 among the highest-paying schools for general engineering. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public school located in the city of Fort Collins. Students who complete the general engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $93,602.
Old Dominion University placed #21 among the highest-paying schools for general engineering. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a public institution. After graduating, general engineering degree recipients from Old Dominion University typically earn about $96,590 annually.
Rowan University landed the #22 spot for general engineering salaries this year. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a public institution. General Engineering graduates of Rowan University earn a median of about $84,255 a year early in their careers.
Saint Louis University Main Campus ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general engineering schools. Saint Louis University Main Campus is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Louis. Students who complete the general engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $67,482.
Prairie View A And M University placed #24 among the highest-paying schools for general engineering. Set in the rural area of Prairie View, Prairie View A And M University is a public institution. Early-career general engineering graduates from Prairie View A And M University make a median of around $63,525 per year.
Looking for a different degree level? Compare highest-paid General Engineering rankings across degree levels:
The ranking above is published 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 · 24 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.