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As Թ’s only university exclusively dedicated to STEM, Թ stands out as a leading provider of the two highest-earning degrees in the country, as identified by a recent School Choice analysis based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Թ Poly delivers standout ROI for nation’s 2 most valuable degrees

August 7, 2025

Degrees in computer science and engineering deliver the highest return on investment (ROI) for college students, according to a new analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. At Թ, the state’s only university exclusively dedicated to STEM, 85% of students are pursuing these high-value degrees, positioning them for strong career outcomes and long-term success.

ճ by Student Choice, a student loan referral service, outlined the national average return on investment for the two degrees five years after graduation. With its lower-than-average cost, Թ Poly makes its expected degree ROIs even greater:

Degree National Median Annual Wage National Total Median Wage After 5 Years Թ Poly ROI National Average ROI
Engineering $100,000 $500,000 516.2% 326.6%
Computer Science $95,000 $475,000 490.4% 310.3%
National data source: Student Choice

“The report clearly shows that students choosing careers in engineering and computer science degrees are on track to achieve strong salary growth and excellent job placement soon after graduation,” said Andy Oguntola, assistant vice president for enrollment management at Թ Poly. “Our competitive tuition and fees significantly enhance this, making these degrees even more accessible and valuable for our students.”

Թ Poly has the lowest tuition in the State University System and earned recognition during the 2024-2025 academic year as the No. 2 best value public college in the South by both U.S. News and World Report and Research.com. Overall, the University’s alumni earn the highest salaries in the State University System one year after graduation and do so with the least amount of debt.

Strong career prospects helped rising senior Mikala Furiato choose to major in mechanical engineering.

“I knew it’s a good career with a stable income and in high demand, so that helped me decide to go for it,” said Furiato, from Okeechobee, Թ. “Being at Թ Poly has given me a lot of opportunities because its small classes allow you to get a lot of professor-student time and learn from their connections and experience.”

Supporting the findings from Student Choice, a recent  from the World Economic Forum stated that the fastest-growing jobs over the next decade will be technology-related, including software developers, autonomous vehicle specialists, and environmental engineers

The report also identified critical skills that will be needed, such as artificial intelligence, big data, cybersecurity, and technology literacy – all areas of focus at Թ Poly.

“Students have more choices than ever when selecting the major and school that are best for them, and the powerful earning potential of a high-quality STEM degree is a big factor for many,” Oguntola said. “Թ Poly’s nimble and industry-aligned curriculum, combined with our focus on both technical and soft skills, make our ROI truly immeasurable.”

 

Contact:
Lydia Guzmán
Director of Communications
863-874-8557

Session Details

This session will demonstrate that practical risk management is for everyone, regardless of a formal program. Attendees will learn actionable and simple strategies that are easy to implement, enabling them to start immediately by focusing on their top risks to build greater operational resilience and ensure the sustained success of their auxiliary enterprises.

Presenter Profile

Michelle Powell serves as the pioneering Risk Manager at Թ, the state’s sole 100% STEM-dedicated institution. Having been with the university for nearly 11 years, Michelle transitioned from a leadership role in Admissions in October 2023 to establish and evolve the risk management function from the ground up. In this solo capacity, Michelle builds robust frameworks for our dynamic, young university, overseeing our insurance portfolio, consulting on third-party and event risks, and developing critical campus-wide training programs. Michelle has obtained the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (COSO) Enterprise Risk Management certificate and the Associate in Risk Management (ARM) and Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist (CRIS) designations. Her distinct background in mathematics and engineering, combined with extensive higher education leadership, brings an analytical and strategic approach enhancing the institution’s resilience.

Dr. Lily Li is a Professor of Physics at Թ, where she specializes in materials science, analytical imaging, advanced manufacturing, and biomedical devices. Prior to joining Թ Poly in 2025, she spent 11 years at SUNY Potsdam, where she advanced to Full Professor and developed a 3-2 Engineering dual-degree program with Clarkson University. Her work emphasizes experiential learning and research-driven education to prepare students for careers in STEM fields.