Program Analysis
Starting salaries of $49,741/yr fall 29% below the $69,929 national median for Engineering Studies. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.
At 5.1x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.
AI risk is moderate — 48% task exposure — and the 23% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
At $7,500 in median debt against $49,741 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.
At #13 out of 16 programs, Stanford University's financial outcomes for Engineering Studies trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.
Earnings growth from $49,741 to $122,212 over five years (146% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.