Compare 6 Mechanical Engineering. programs in Connecticut. Average earnings: $79,359.
With top graduates earning $85,931, Mechanical Engineering stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $6K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
Fairfield University's Mechanical Engineering program leads with graduates earning $85,931, while Central Connecticut State University follows closely at $82,394. The average across all 6 Connecticut programs is $79,359, demonstrating that strong outcomes aren't limited to the most selective institutions.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University of Connecticut graduates borrow $21,500 and face just a 5.0% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families, Central Connecticut State leads with a 10.3% family burden, proving the best choice depends on who's paying.
Highest program earnings: $85,931
Strong outcomes ($82,394) with 76% acceptance
5.0% payment burden | Excellent
10.3% family burden | Good
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Fairfield UniversityPrivate | $85,931 | 30 | $26,000 | Excellent | $50,500 | Challenging |
| #2 | $82,394 | 40 | $22,300 | Excellent | $19,642 | Good | |
| #3 | $82,004 | 173 | $21,500 | Excellent | $35,324 | Manageable | |
| #4 | University Of HartfordPrivate | $81,682 | 48 | $27,000 | Excellent | $44,000 | Manageable |
| #5 | University Of New HavenPrivate | $78,504 | 27 | $27,000 | Excellent | $54,414 | Challenging |
| #6 | Quinnipiac UniversityPrivate | $65,640 | 19 | $26,000 | Good | $64,334 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
