Best Value Electrical Colleges in Massachusetts

MIT delivers the highest earnings at $121,226 for electrical engineering graduates while maintaining a net cost of just $19,813, making it the clear value leader among Massachusetts programs. The state's 17 electrical engineering programs show dramatic cost variations, from UMass Dartmouth at $15,208 in-state tuition to private institutions exceeding $60,000. This range reflects Massachusetts' unique position as home to both top-tier research universities and accessible public options. The state's concentration of defense contractors like Raytheon, plus Boston's growing tech sector, creates strong demand for electrical engineers across traditional electronics, communications systems, and emerging fields. Public universities deliver solid returns with UMass Lowell graduates earning $66,989 at a $16,570 in-state cost, while private alternatives like Northeastern command higher prices but produce $76,773 average earnings.

Programs

$16,172 – $43,273

Net Price Range

$77,412

Avg. Program Earnings

74.6%

Avg. Graduation Rate

17 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, Massachusetts	$19,813	$121,226	$60,156	96.1%	4.0%
2	Franklin W Olin College of Engineering Needham, Massachusetts	$20,575	$76,460	$64,458	92.2%	19.1%
3	University of Massachusetts-Lowell Lowell, Massachusetts	$18,627	$66,989	$16,570	70.1%	86.0%
4	University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth North Dartmouth, Massachusetts	$20,605	$63,997	$15,208	49.0%	95.5%
5	University of Massachusetts-Amherst Amherst, Massachusetts	$23,691	$69,338	$17,357	83.2%	63.5%
6	Boston University Boston, Massachusetts	$26,996	$70,829	$65,168	90.0%	14.4%
7	Northeastern University Boston, Massachusetts	$32,116	$76,773	$63,141	90.4%	6.8%
8	Tufts University Medford, Massachusetts	$35,435	$84,653	$67,844	93.3%	9.7%
9	Wentworth Institute of Technology Boston, Massachusetts	$34,170	$71,351	$41,010	68.6%	92.3%
10	Worcester Polytechnic Institute Worcester, Massachusetts	$43,273	$72,507	$59,070	88.4%	57.5%
11	Merrimack College North Andover, Massachusetts	$37,899		$51,786	72.1%	74.6%
12	Western New England University Springfield, Massachusetts	$31,170		$46,430	63.9%	88.0%
13	Stonehill College Easton, Massachusetts	$29,969		$54,500	80.8%	73.4%
14	University of Massachusetts-Boston Boston, Massachusetts	$18,282		$15,496	51.1%	80.8%
15	Harvard University Cambridge, Massachusetts	$16,816		$59,076	97.3%	3.2%
16	Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology Boston, Massachusetts	$16,172		$18,906	47.2%
17	Eastern Nazarene College Quincy, Massachusetts	$17,733		$28,610	35.3%	61.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes MIT such an strong value for electrical engineering despite its elite status?

MIT graduates earn $121,226 annually while paying just $19,813 net cost, creating the best earnings-to-cost ratio in Massachusetts. The school maintains a 96.10% graduation rate with only $10,967 average debt. MIT's financial aid program significantly reduces costs for most students, making this top-tier education accessible despite the $60,156 sticker price.

How do public universities compare to private options for electrical engineering value?

UMass Lowell offers the strongest public option with $66,989 graduate earnings at $16,570 in-state tuition and an 85.95% acceptance rate. UMass Amherst provides higher earnings at $69,338 but costs slightly more at $17,357 in-state. Private schools like Northeastern earn $76,773 but require $32,116 net cost, making public universities better pure value propositions.

Does Franklin W Olin College justify its $20,575 net cost for electrical engineering?

Olin graduates earn $76,460 annually with a 92.20% graduation rate, representing solid value for a specialized engineering school. The college accepts 19.14% of applicants, making it selective but more accessible than MIT. Olin's focus on engineering innovation and small class sizes appeals to students seeking personalized education with strong career outcomes.

Where do Massachusetts electrical engineering graduates typically find employment?

The state's defense contractors like Raytheon, General Dynamics, and BAE Systems hire extensively from local programs. Boston's tech sector offers opportunities at companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and numerous startups requiring communications and electronics expertise. The concentration of biotech firms also creates demand for engineers working on medical devices and diagnostic equipment throughout the Route 128 corridor.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.