Fort Lewis College provides accessible, affordable higher education with manageable debt levels and strong loan repayment performance among graduates.
The institution serves as an important access point for first-generation and Pell-eligible students seeking a public college education in Colorado.
Fort Lewis College is a medium-sized public institution in Durango, Colorado, that serves as an accessible option for students seeking an affordable college experience in a distinctive mountain setting. The college enrolls a substantial share of first-generation students (31%) and Pell recipients (36%), reflecting its commitment to serving students from diverse economic backgrounds. However, Fort Lewis faces challenges in delivering the strong long-term financial outcomes seen at many peer institutions.
Graduates earn a median of $46,349 ten years after enrollment, which places the college in the lower portion of public universities nationally for earnings outcomes. The institution falls into the "Under-Resourced Institutions" mobility category, indicating that while it provides access to higher education, graduates don't achieve the same earnings levels as those from better-resourced institutions. Net prices remain reasonable across income levels, with low-income students paying about $17,272 annually and middle-income families seeing costs around $19,105.
For students drawn to Fort Lewis College's unique location and smaller scale, the institution offers a more intimate educational experience than large research universities. The college's program mix includes popular majors in business, psychology, and applied engineering, though earnings vary significantly by field of study. Students considering Fort Lewis should weigh the benefits of its accessible, affordable education against the reality that long-term earnings may be more modest than at other public institutions.
Fort Lewis College's program portfolio reflects a mix of professional and liberal arts offerings, with outcomes varying dramatically by field of study. Applied Engineering emerges as the clear financial leader, with 24 graduates earning a median of $54,209 ten years out, demonstrating that technical programs can deliver competitive salaries even at smaller institutions. This program represents the college's strongest pathway to higher earnings and career advancement.
Business programs dominate the college's economic impact, with 67 graduates in Business/Commerce earning around $35,934 annually. While not exceptional, these earnings provide a solid middle-class foundation and represent the college's largest contribution to the regional economy. Psychology, with 54 graduates, reflects the college's liberal arts mission but faces significant financial challenges, with median earnings of just $19,531 that may struggle to support loan repayment and career advancement.
Exercise Science and Kinesiology, with 51 graduates earning $29,202, illustrates the financial realities of health and fitness careers that often require additional certification or graduate education for advancement. The wide variation in outcomes—from $19,531 in Psychology to $54,209 in Applied Engineering—underscores the critical importance of program selection for students considering Fort Lewis College, where career prospects depend heavily on choosing fields with stronger market demand and earning potential.
Fort Lewis College graduates face mixed financial outcomes that vary significantly by program choice. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $46,349, which places the institution in the lower third nationally for long-term earnings among public universities. The college's graduates earn about $10,500 less than what similar students achieve at comparable institutions, indicating that the return on investment is below expectations for most students.
Program selection plays a crucial role in determining financial outcomes at Fort Lewis. Applied Engineering stands out as the highest-earning major, with graduates earning around $54,209 ten years out, demonstrating that technical programs can deliver competitive salaries even at smaller institutions. Business majors, the largest program by total economic impact with 67 graduates, earn about $35,934, while Psychology majors face more challenging financial prospects with median earnings of just $19,531. Exercise Science and Kinesiology graduates earn around $29,202, reflecting the modest pay scales common in health and fitness fields.
The variation in outcomes by major underscores the importance of careful program selection for students considering Fort Lewis College. While some technical and business programs deliver reasonable returns, many graduates in liberal arts and social science fields may find their earning potential limited compared with peers at larger research universities with stronger industry connections and more extensive alumni networks.
Fort Lewis College maintains reasonable affordability across income levels, making it accessible to families from diverse economic backgrounds. Low-income students pay a net price of about $17,272 annually, which sits near the middle range for public institutions nationally. Middle-income families face costs around $19,105 per year, while higher-income students pay approximately $16,310, showing relatively consistent pricing that doesn't penalize families based on their ability to pay.
Debt levels at Fort Lewis are manageable for most students, with typical graduates leaving with about $18,389 in federal student loan debt. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $14,047, a modest level that reflects the college's reasonable sticker prices and the financial constraints of many families who choose the institution. The college maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, indicating that graduates are generally able to meet their repayment obligations despite the more modest earnings outcomes.
What makes Fort Lewis particularly sustainable from a debt perspective is that borrowing levels remain proportional to the earnings graduates can expect. While long-term salaries may be lower than at research universities, the debt burden is also correspondingly lighter, creating a more balanced financial equation for students who prioritize affordability and access over maximum earning potential.
Fort Lewis College Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
