<p>I am very confused as to where those numbers are coming from. There is always upward movement, you just have to know where to look and how to get it. The salary is possible, but it depends on your ability to succeed in school and the real world. Starting salary’s for out-of-school ME’s is about $60-70K, depending on the school. Of course, if you are a CEO you can make more. </p>
<p>This might help you, although the schools might be skewed due to type of school and selection of majors;
[Only</a> 150 of 3500 U.S. Colleges Are Worth the Investment: Former Secretary of Education | Daily Ticker - Yahoo Finance](<a href=“http://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/daily-ticker/only-150-3500-u-colleges-worth-investment-former-132020890.html]Only”>Only 150 of 3500 U.S. Colleges Are Worth the Investment: Former Secretary of Education)</p>