Location: Durango, CO•In-State Tuition: $9,670•Out-of-State Tuition: $20,798•Admission Rate: 93%•Avg SAT: 1084
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$82,084
Est. from CO median (3 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$23,125
Est. from national median (129 programs)

Analysis

Colorado's computer engineering programs cluster around $82,000 in first-year earnings, and Fort Lewis College appears positioned right in that range based on similar programs statewide. With an estimated debt load of $23,125—slightly below both state and national medians—the financial picture suggests a manageable 0.28 debt-to-earnings ratio. That means graduates would need roughly three months of gross income to cover their entire student debt, a comfortable margin by most standards.

The uncertainty here matters, though. Fort Lewis serves a student population where 36% receive Pell grants, and its open-access admission model (93% acceptance rate) differs markedly from research-intensive schools like CU Boulder. Whether its computer engineering graduates actually match the state median depends on factors like curriculum rigor, industry connections, and placement support—details the suppressed data can't reveal. The school's remote Durango location could either limit local tech opportunities or appeal to students seeking Colorado's growing mountain tech hubs.

For parents weighing this investment, the estimated numbers suggest reasonable value if your student thrives in Fort Lewis's environment and secures a typical engineering role. The key is confirming that the program has strong industry ties and placement records, since the actual graduate outcomes remain unknown. Request specifics about internship partnerships and recent graduate placements before committing.

Where Fort Lewis College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all computer engineering bachelors's programs nationally

Fort Lewis College (estimated ±10%)Other computer engineering programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Compare to Similar Programs in Colorado

Computer Engineering bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Colorado (8 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Fort Lewis CollegeDurango$9,670$82,084*—$23,125*—
University of Colorado BoulderBoulder$16,430$86,211*$96,333$23,000*0.27
University of Colorado Colorado SpringsColorado Springs$9,712$82,084*—$25,075*0.31
University of Northern ColoradoGreeley$12,010$56,557*——*—
National Median—$78,952*—$24,500*0.31
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with computer engineering graduates

Architectural and Engineering Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as architecture and engineering or research and development in these fields.

$167,740/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers

Define, plan, or execute biofuels/biodiesel research programs that evaluate alternative feedstock and process technologies with near-term commercial potential.

$167,740/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Computer Hardware Engineers

Research, design, develop, or test computer or computer-related equipment for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use. May supervise the manufacturing and installation of computer or computer-related equipment and components.

$155,020/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Software Developers

Research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions, applying principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis. Update software or enhance existing software capabilities. May work with computer hardware engineers to integrate hardware and software systems, and develop specifications and performance requirements. May maintain databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team.

$131,450/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

Develop and execute software tests to identify software problems and their causes. Test system modifications to prepare for implementation. Document software and application defects using a bug tracking system and report defects to software or web developers. Create and maintain databases of known defects. May participate in software design reviews to provide input on functional requirements, operational characteristics, product designs, and schedules.

$131,450/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Computer Network Architects

Design and implement computer and information networks, such as local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), intranets, extranets, and other data communications networks. Perform network modeling, analysis, and planning, including analysis of capacity needs for network infrastructures. May also design network and computer security measures. May research and recommend network and data communications hardware and software.

$130,390/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Telecommunications Engineering Specialists

Design or configure wired, wireless, and satellite communications systems for voice, video, and data services. Supervise installation, service, and maintenance.

$130,390/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Database Architects

Design strategies for enterprise databases, data warehouse systems, and multidimensional networks. Set standards for database operations, programming, query processes, and security. Model, design, and construct large relational databases or data warehouses. Create and optimize data models for warehouse infrastructure and workflow. Integrate new systems with existing warehouse structure and refine system performance and functionality.

$123,100/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Data Warehousing Specialists

Design, model, or implement corporate data warehousing activities. Program and configure warehouses of database information and provide support to warehouse users.

$123,100/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to the application of physical laws and principles of engineering for the development of machines, materials, instruments, processes, and services. Includes teachers of subjects such as chemical, civil, electrical, industrial, mechanical, mineral, and petroleum engineering. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Fort Lewis College, approximately 36% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 3 similar programs in CO. Actual outcomes may vary.