Trine engineering and computing grads earn more in high-paying careers

Salary figures for recent graduates from Trine University’s Allen School of Engineering and Computing (ASEC) show they make above the national average in several fields that already pay among the best in the nation.

Like all programs at Trine, engineering and computing majors enjoy a high rate of employment following graduation. ASEC’s Class of 2023 saw 99.5% employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation, a figure that mirrors Trine University’s overall job placement.

Salary data from Trine’s Class of 2023 showed average starting annual salaries for graduates in several ASEC majors to be well above the national average for their respective fields, based on data from the National Bureau of Labor Statistics.

These majors include software engineering (29.4% above the national average), with graduates reporting an average annual starting salary of $92,500; computer engineering (1.5% above the national average), with graduates reporting an average annual starting salary of $76,100; chemical engineering (4.1% above the national average), with graduates reporting an average annual starting salary of $73,400; electrical engineering (1.5% above the national average), with graduates reporting an average annual starting salary of $72,500;  biomedical engineering (9.3% above the national average) and mechanical engineering (7.5% above the national average), both with graduates reporting average annual starting salaries of $72,000; civil engineering (3.1% above the national average), with graduates reporting an average annual starting salary of $63,500; and computer science and information technology (30.4% above the national average), with graduates reporting an average annual starting salary of $60,000.

 “Our salary data reflects the strong demand for Trine University engineering and computing graduates,” said William Barry, Ph.D., dean of the Allen School of Engineering and Computing. “We work closely with business and industry to make sure our graduates have the skills needed to contribute significantly upon hire, through up-to-date classroom training as well as hands-on experiences in labs, internships, co-ops and design projects.”

“The Trine University Career Center also helps prepare our students for success by offering resume critiques, mock interviews, and connections with employers through informal meet and greets, annual career fairs, and on-site internship, co-op, or full-time position interviews.”

“These factors combine to help Allen School of Engineering and Computing graduates earn above the national average in fields that are already among some of the best-paying.”

Fields offer top salaries

Several recent reports highlight the fact that engineering and computing majors earn top salaries upon graduation from college.

According to data in the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard, engineering, computing and engineering technology degrees led the list of college majors with the highest first-year salaries for the Class of 2022.

Data released earlier this year by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York showed that engineering-related majors held nine of the top 10 spots for top average entry-level salaries, with chemical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, aerospace engineering and electrical engineering taking the top five.

Similarly, the U.S. Census Bureau recently reported that five of the top 10 highest paying careers in the U.S. are engineering-related.

“Engineering and computing have been and will continue to be a key part of academic mix at Trine,” said Barry. “Overall salary data shows a continued demand for these fields, and our own data shows that our graduates are some of the best out there.”