21 Lesser-Known Schools That Quietly Produce Top Earners

6. Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology – Terre Haute, IN

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, located in Terre Haute, Indiana, may not have the brand recognition of MIT or Caltech, but it consistently ranks among the top engineering schools in the nation—and for good reason. This private institution is laser-focused on undergraduate STEM education, with a particular emphasis on mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering. Rose-Hulman keeps class sizes small and offers extensive faculty mentorship, allowing students to receive a hands-on, deeply personalized education that many larger schools simply can’t provide. Its graduates are highly sought after by employers across sectors like aerospace, automotive, robotics, and defense, thanks to their strong technical skills and practical experience. The school boasts a near-perfect job placement rate, and many grads report receiving multiple job offers before graduation. Add to that a strong alumni network, excellent lab facilities, and a curriculum steeped in real-world problem-solving, and it's easy to see why Rose-Hulman consistently produces some of the nation’s highest-paid STEM graduates. Median early-career salary: $80,400.