Bottom Line
This field currently leans value-positive.
The current preview range spans from $721,853 to $1,395,708. That spread is the core Degreeli point: field choice matters, but so does where and how you pursue it.
High upside
Program Category
Polymer/Plastics Engineering
Degreeli uses field pages to show whether value is consistent or whether the same major swings dramatically depending on the school, price point, and completion environment.
Offerings In Preview Catalog
7
Positive ROI Routes
7/7
Best Current ROI
$1,395,708
Fastest Payback
4.3 years
What To Compare
Stack payback speed against downside, not just upside.
Families should read this category through three questions: which school delivers the best risk-adjusted upside, how fast the cost gets recouped, and how much value evaporates once completion risk enters the picture.
School-Level Routes
Where Polymer/Plastics Engineering currently looks strongest
BACHELORS
The Pennsylvania State University--University Park
Degreeli Score
57/100
High Risk
Data Confidence
Medium
Completion-Adjusted ROI
$1,395,708
Years To Recoup
10 years
On-Time ROI
$1,621,220
10-Year Earnings
$87,636
Why it scores this way
Strength: Cost looks efficient relative to expected early-career pay.
Risk: Debt risk rises quickly if borrowing approaches the modeled estimate.
MASTERS
University of Massachusetts--Lowell
Degreeli Score
85/100
Strong Value
Data Confidence
Medium
Completion-Adjusted ROI
$1,346,343
Years To Recoup
4.3 years
On-Time ROI
$2,077,048
10-Year Earnings
$107,285
Why it scores this way
Strength: Cost looks efficient relative to expected early-career pay.
Risk: Graduate review signal is limited or modeled.
BACHELORS
University of Massachusetts--Lowell
Degreeli Score
82/100
Strong Value
Data Confidence
Medium
Completion-Adjusted ROI
$1,257,448
Years To Recoup
4.6 years
On-Time ROI
$1,939,908
10-Year Earnings
$100,428
Why it scores this way
Strength: Cost looks efficient relative to expected early-career pay.
Risk: Graduate review signal is limited or modeled.
BACHELORS
Western Washington University
Degreeli Score
73/100
Fair Value
Data Confidence
Medium
Completion-Adjusted ROI
$1,140,255
Years To Recoup
6.1 years
On-Time ROI
$1,764,008
10-Year Earnings
$92,439
Why it scores this way
Strength: Cost looks efficient relative to expected early-career pay.
Risk: Graduate review signal is limited or modeled.
BACHELORS
University of Wisconsin-Stout Polytechnic
Degreeli Score
73/100
Fair Value
Data Confidence
Medium
Completion-Adjusted ROI
$928,275
Years To Recoup
5.3 years
On-Time ROI
$1,692,080
10-Year Earnings
$88,102
Why it scores this way
Strength: Cost looks efficient relative to expected early-career pay.
Risk: Completion or outcome confidence needs more scrutiny.
BACHELORS
Pennsylvania College of Technology
Degreeli Score
63/100
Caution Zone
Data Confidence
Medium
Completion-Adjusted ROI
$892,164
Years To Recoup
7.6 years
On-Time ROI
$1,668,220
10-Year Earnings
$88,433
Why it scores this way
Strength: Cost looks efficient relative to expected early-career pay.
Risk: Payback could take longer than many families expect.
BACHELORS
Pennsylvania State University -- Behrend
Degreeli Score
61/100
Caution Zone
Data Confidence
Medium
Completion-Adjusted ROI
$721,853
Years To Recoup
7.5 years
On-Time ROI
$1,654,488
10-Year Earnings
$87,636
Why it scores this way
Strength: Cost looks efficient relative to expected early-career pay.
Risk: Payback could take longer than many families expect.