Computer Engineering at Fairfield University

Based on comparable programs in Connecticut, computer engineering graduates typically earn around $83,000 in their first year—a solid starting point that puts them right at the state median and slightly above the national benchmark of $79,000. The estimated debt load of $26,000 translates to a manageable 0.32 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe roughly one-third of their first-year salary. This is favorable territory for a technical degree, particularly at a selective private institution where Fairfield's 45% admission rate and average SAT of 1323 suggest a competitive academic environment.

The challenge here is uncertainty. With only 12 schools offering computer engineering in Connecticut and Fairfield's data suppressed due to small sample sizes, we're working with projections rather than verified outcomes for this specific program. The $26,000 debt estimate comes from national data for similar private schools, while the earnings figure represents what other Connecticut computer engineering programs achieve. Fairfield could perform better or worse than these benchmarks—there's simply no way to know without more graduates reporting their outcomes.

For parents considering this program, the fundamentals look reasonable: computer engineering is a high-demand field, the estimated debt burden won't overwhelm typical salaries, and Fairfield's selectivity suggests quality peers. However, you're making this investment without concrete proof of what Fairfield's computer engineering graduates actually earn. If you can find alumni from this specific program to talk with, their real-world experiences would be far more valuable than these state-level projections.