Engineering at Colorado State University Pueblo

Colorado State University Pueblo's engineering program delivers strong first-year earnings of $76,059—exceeding the national median and landing at the 73rd percentile among all engineering programs nationwide. The $31,000 in typical debt is also remarkably manageable, sitting in just the 5th percentile nationally (meaning 95% of engineering programs saddle students with more debt). With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.41, graduates can realistically pay off their loans while building financial stability early in their careers.

What's less impressive is the earnings trajectory. While many engineering programs see substantial salary growth as graduates gain experience, CSU Pueblo grads see only modest gains—earnings inch up just 4% to $79,387 by year four. Among Colorado's three engineering programs, this one hits exactly the state median for both earnings and debt, placing it squarely in the middle tier. The school's 100% admission rate and relatively low test scores suggest this program serves students who might not access more selective engineering schools, which adds important context to the outcomes.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could swing significantly year to year, so consider them directional rather than definitive. Still, for Colorado families seeking an accessible path into engineering with reasonable debt and solid starting pay, this program offers a viable entry point into the field—just don't expect the salary acceleration that top-tier engineering programs typically deliver.