by our College Data Analytics Team
[Other Engineering](/majors/engineering/other-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 11 schools on the early-career earnings of their other engineering graduates.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send other engineering graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
For graduate earnings in other engineering, no school beat Northwestern University this year. Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Students who complete the other engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $232,652.
University Of California San Diego produces some of the highest-paid graduates in other engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of California San Diego is a public school located in the city of La Jolla. After graduating, other engineering degree recipients from University Of California San Diego typically earn about $142,225 annually.
A rank of #3 makes Purdue University Main Campus one of the highest-paying schools for other engineering. Purdue University Main Campus is a public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Other Engineering graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of about $135,236 a year early in their careers.
Old Dominion University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying other engineering schools. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a public institution. After graduating, other engineering degree recipients from Old Dominion University typically earn about $135,172 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in other engineering will find them at University Of Southern California, which ranked #5. University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students who complete the other engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $143,002.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying other engineering schools. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. Early-career other engineering graduates from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor make a median of around $123,043 per year.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute earned the #7 position for other engineering graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Worcester, Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. Other Engineering graduates of Worcester Polytechnic Institute earn a median of about $120,591 a year early in their careers.
Virginia Commonwealth University placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for other engineering. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a public institution. Students who complete the other engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $95,707.
Alabama A And M University placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for other engineering. Set in the city of Normal, Alabama A And M University is a public institution. After graduating, other engineering degree recipients from Alabama A And M University typically earn about $86,772 annually.
Northeastern University placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for other engineering. Northeastern University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Early-career other engineering graduates from Northeastern University make a median of around $81,287 per year.
University Of Illinois At Chicago landed the #11 spot for other engineering salaries this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a public institution. Students who complete the other engineering program here go on to a median salary of roughly $72,035.
Explore the highest-paying other engineering schools at other degree levels:
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries other 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 · 11 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.