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. The schools below stand out for the salaries their general engineering graduates go on to command.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 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.
Our analysis ranked Virginia Western Community College the top school for general engineering graduate earnings in Virginia. Located in the city of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College is a public institution. Students who complete the general engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $76,297.
Students chasing top earnings in general engineering will find them at University Of Virginia Main Campus, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. General Engineering graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of about $86,699 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at J Sargeant Reynolds Community College earned it the #3 place for general engineering. Located in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a public institution. After graduating, general engineering degree recipients from J Sargeant Reynolds Community College typically earn about $74,135 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Thomas Nelson Community College earned it the #4 place for general engineering. Located in the suburb of Hampton, Thomas Nelson Community College is a public institution. General Engineering graduates of Thomas Nelson Community College earn a median of about $73,384 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in general engineering will find them at Tidewater Community College, which ranked #5. Tidewater Community College is a public school located in the city of Norfolk. Students who complete the general engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $79,752.
James Madison University came in at #6 for general engineering graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a public institution. Early-career general engineering graduates from James Madison University make a median of around $88,212 per year.
Northern Virginia Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a public institution. After graduating, general engineering degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College typically earn about $83,194 annually.
This list is compiled 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 · 7 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.