If that’s going to be your criterion, then you probably can’t fairly be compared with those on the most usual financial fast-track.
But you’re rare among engineers, including here on FR, for not whining about engineers topping out at an unfairly low pay ceiling and being put out to pasture all too young if they don’t move up into management in good time.
I have seen engineering degrees being the path to a lot of different successful roles. It doesn’t tie you to the technical side only. I know many that have taken it to management, or even places like law.
It certainly isn’t for most. But for a college kid who was capable and interested in getting it; I would recommend it. It doesn’t mean they will spend their life on a calculator, spreadsheets and CAD, unless they want to do that.
If I remember correctly, at the two decent size companies (5,000~50,000) where I ran an engineering department, I don’t think any of the other engineering Chiefs had a master’s degree either. I think one of the engineering managers did, but the 4 others in the same time frame did not.
I think that could be used to show where the engineering degree has significant value to the college kid starting out. It is often enough to open many different doors, combined with a willingness to work and not be a prima-donna. The most consistent short-coming I find in engineers is the ability to effectively communicate. My spelling skills document this quite well.