Polymer/Plastics Engineering: is this bachelor's degree worth it?
National picture across 6 reporting college programs.
+$160,416 over 10 years
National scenario across reporting bachelor's degree programs, using median year-4 earnings, their institutions’ average net prices and a typical 4-year duration.
This is a positive modeled result. Price, time to finish and future earnings can still change the outcome.
Observed national outcomes
The same field can produce a different equation.
Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts—not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.
Where the middle half of programs lands
Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.
See the spread, not just the national number.
1University of Massachusetts-Lowell$100,4282Western Washington University$92,4393Pennsylvania College of Technology$88,4334University of Wisconsin-Stout$88,1025Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College$87,6366Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus$87,636Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking
Related occupations
Official CIP–SOC links add career context without claiming that every graduate enters the same job.
Same degree, different outcomes
Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. ROI uses each institution’s average net price as a scenario—not an individual aid offer.
| # | College | Location | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | 10-year ROI | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Massachusetts-LowellBachelor's Degree | Lowell, MA | $100,428 | $27,000 | +123% | Strong payoff |
| 2 | Western Washington UniversityBachelor's Degree | Bellingham, WA | $92,439 | $21,656 | +79% | Positive payoff |
| 3 | Pennsylvania College of TechnologyBachelor's Degree | Williamsport, PA | $88,433 | $27,875 | +55% | Positive payoff |
| 4 | University of Wisconsin-StoutBachelor's Degree | Menomonie, WI | $88,102 | $23,850 | +72% | Positive payoff |
| 5 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend CollegeBachelor's Degree | Erie, PA | $87,636 | $27,000 | +53% | Positive payoff |
| 6 | Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | University Park, PA | $87,636 | $27,000 | +37% | Positive payoff |
This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.