General
In the scramble to land a lucrative job in tech, most eyes turn toward Silicon Valley startups, Ivy League degrees, or elite private institutions. But a quiet revolution is underway in public universities across the United States, institutions that are not only producing world-class talent but also catapulting graduates into six-figure tech careers with unmatched return on investment.As technology becomes the cornerstone of nearly every industry, the choice of college has emerged as a critical determinant of future earning power. New data from the Burning Glass Institute reveals that certain public colleges have become breeding grounds for high-paid tech professionals, consistently delivering graduates who out-earn the national average by significant margins.This story dives into six standout public universities, outside the Ivy League, that are reshaping the financial futures of their graduates by preparing them for the upper echelons of the tech industry.
The salary data is based on US media reports.
General University of California, Los Angeles
At UCLA, the numbers speak volumes. While just 7.3% of graduates pursue tech-related degrees, they are outpacing their peers in earnings. On average, UCLA tech alumni pull in $144,732 annually, a remarkable $22,640 above the national average.This earning power is no accident. UCLA’s emphasis on interdisciplinary tech education, proximity to Southern California’s thriving tech corridor, and strong alumni networks provide a formidable springboard for careers in software engineering, data science, and AI.
General University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
With 8.2% of its graduates heading into tech fields, the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) continues to bolster its reputation as a national tech hub. Its alumni earn an average salary of $137,833, which is $15,741 above the national median.Home to some of the most highly ranked engineering programs in the country, UIUC combines deep research infrastructure with strong ties to industry, especially in the Midwest’s fast-growing tech markets.
Its graduates are highly sought after by companies like Amazon, Nvidia, and Intel.
General University of Washington, Seattle
Tech education doesn’t always have to come with a hefty price tag. The Seattle campus of the University of Washington stands out not only for its affordable tuition but also for launching graduates into tech roles with an average annual salary of $142,603—that’s $20,511 more than the national average.What’s more, 11.4% of its graduates enter tech, making it one of the most concentrated public pipelines into the industry.
With major tech giants like Microsoft and Amazon headquartered nearby, the school’s geographic advantage translates into abundant internships, mentorships, and job placements.
General University of California, San Diego
Often overshadowed by its northern cousins, UC San Diego is carving out its own niche in tech education. With 11.3% of its graduates entering tech and earning $138,427 on average (a $16,335 advantage), it combines strong academic training with Southern California’s growing innovation ecosystem.UC San Diego’s strength lies in its emphasis on computer science, cognitive science, and bioinformatics—fields at the cutting edge of today’s tech frontier.
General California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Nestled along California’s Central Coast, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo embraces a “Learn by Doing” ethos that clearly pays off. Roughly 9.7% of its graduates pursue tech, earning an average salary of $140,475, which is $18,383 above the national average.Unlike more theory-heavy institutions, Cal Poly emphasizes hands-on experiences and industry collaboration, often resulting in job-ready graduates who outperform expectations in areas like software engineering, UX design, and product development.
General University of California, Davis
The final University of California campus on this list, UC Davis, proves that even schools not traditionally known for tech can produce high-flying earners. Tech graduates from UC Davis earn an average of $138,020 per year, which is $15,928 above the national average, despite tech making up just 7.3% of its graduate pool.UC Davis’s growing computer science and engineering departments, coupled with expanding ties to Sacramento’s tech scene, are giving rise to a new generation of innovators.Rethinking the tech education pipelineThe narrative that only elite private colleges lead to elite tech careers is steadily unraveling. These six public universities prove that high ROI and high salaries are well within reach—often at a fraction of the tuition cost. As the demand for tech talent intensifies, institutions that blend academic rigor with real-world readiness are emerging as the true engines of upward mobility.For students eyeing the tech world, the path to a six-figure future may not lie in prestige alone, but in the strategic choice of a college that delivers on both skill and salary.