<p>Not way off…the best schools,on average,have better starting salaries ,and better long term salaries then lesser schools…</p>
<p>[Top</a> US Colleges ? Graduate Salary Statistics](<a href=“http://www.payscale.com/best-colleges/top-us-colleges-graduate-salary-statistics.asp]Top”>http://www.payscale.com/best-colleges/top-us-colleges-graduate-salary-statistics.asp)</p>
<p>So much depends on the major/career track. Harvey Mudd’s on top because it’s all engineers and a top school–engineers, on average, make way more than say, teachers.
I notice Northwestern is below several state schools, and below some private schools that do give merit (ie, Tulane, Case Western). </p>
<p>I notice San Jose State is ranked highly–a lowly state school not even a UC! (Probably computer science majors who stay in the very expensive Silicon Valley after grad?). Whereas, say, Iowa State grads may tend by and large to stay in Iowa or the midwest, where salaries and cost of living are less.</p>
<p>I still think it’s hard to compare–I went to a state school on the list and now (mid career) make well above the average listed.</p>
<p>There are so many factors!</p>
<p>Hey, I’ve got a new plan! I’m going back to school part-time to enjoy the scenery, work out a bit to get in shape, and learn some fun stuff. No intent to actually graduate, but I’ll just intern a few months to pick up a quick $70k whenever the beer and pizza money is running low! </p>
<p>After all these years, why didn’t I think of this before!?!??</p>
<p>Ok, we’ll go ahead and use that chart but, frankly, only because Northwestern and UMichigan have a few things in common: They are in the same part of the country. They are general, non-specialized universities. </p>
<p>According to that chart, the starting, median salary for Michigan is $50,600 and for Northwestern it’s $49,000. The mid-career median salary for Michigan is $90,200 and for Northwestern it’s $91,900.</p>
<p>but how will u pay 4 it???</p>
<p>liv4physicz-- Why don’t you just apply and see what happens? Maybe somehow things will work out. If you really want it that badly-- you’ll find a way, right?</p>
<p>Red light, however – You did say it has been your dream for a year though. That sounds more like a ‘thought’ than a dream to me. People can be pretty whimsical. A ‘dream’ changes from year to year. If you said, “I’ve been dreaming about it since I was 12”, that might be different. Just take another self-check to be sure. ‘Dreams’ are expensive. That expense will probably follow you around for like 10 or 15 years and affect future dreams. So you should try to make sure it’s a dream, rather than a ‘wouldn’t it be so cool’ thought. </p>
<p>And if it really is a dream-- go for it. There will be a lot of risk and expense for you for a long time to come. But dreams are worth it, right?</p>
<p>I feel so honored that this was your first post ever. Good advice!!!</p>
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<p>What???!? Dude, I’m just applying your strategy with a few custom mods!! Part time is cheaper than full time, so I’m way ahead on tuition, and all I really need anyway is access to the placement office. Plus I’ve got more free time for fun. We’re gonna hook up with a few $70k 3-month internship gigs, and the rest of the time we’re gonna like party! Dude I OWE you big!!!</p>
<p>The $70k per year doesn’t pass the smell test…I think what they meant is that perhaps (and this is a huge perhaps) that if the student worked 40 hrs per week/52 weeks per year, then that would be the annualized salary…but the student really only works about 15 weeks or so. That said, that number is still too high to be reasonable.</p>
<p>I know that my son’s internship (if annualized) would have been about $45k, but he only worked like 12 weeks per year…so of course, his earnings were much less. </p>
<p>I think you either misheard or misinterpreted what was said. Co-ops usually work for one semester per year, right? Do you really think they would pay that person $140k if he worked for 2 semesters per year? No…no way. If so, many of the profs would be quitting and taking those jobs…LOL</p>
<p>^^ ya u do O me. pay up</p>