Engineering at Fort Lewis College

Fort Lewis College's engineering program sits in an unusual position: while it ranks in just the 5th percentile nationally for earnings, it's actually at the 60th percentile within Colorado—meaning graduates here earn more than those from most other in-state engineering programs. That $51,000 starting salary trails the national engineering median by $17,000, but Colorado's small engineering market (just 4 programs) skews differently than the national picture. The debt load of $28,450 is reasonable and falls below the national median, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.56 that's manageable for an engineering graduate.

The 43% earnings growth to $73,000 by year four suggests graduates who stay in the field catch up somewhat, though they're still earning below the national 75th percentile. This pattern likely reflects Fort Lewis's open admission policy and regional focus—graduates may be filling engineering roles in smaller Colorado communities rather than competing for high-paying positions in major tech hubs.

For Colorado families seeking an accessible engineering degree without relocating, this program offers a viable path with debt that won't overwhelm starting salaries. However, students with stronger academic profiles who can access more competitive programs should understand they're trading significant earning potential—potentially six figures over the first four years—for Fort Lewis's location and admission accessibility.