Mechanical Engineering at Quinnipiac University

Quinnipiac's mechanical engineering program is small and unproven, with fewer than 30 graduates in the cohort—meaning these numbers could swing dramatically with just a handful of different outcomes. That said, the data we have shows first-year earnings of $65,640 trailing both the Connecticut state median ($74,772) and national average ($70,744) by meaningful margins. You're looking at roughly $9,000 less than what graduates earn from UConn's engineering program, which is the dominant player in the state.

The positive story here is debt: at $27,000, graduates carry slightly more than the state median but remain well below national levels, ranking in just the 5th percentile for debt burden. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.41 is manageable, suggesting graduates can handle repayment even with the lower starting salaries. However, finishing in the 40th percentile among Connecticut programs means half of the state's mechanical engineering graduates are earning more right out of the gate.

For parents, the calculation is straightforward. If your child can get into UConn—which has similar admission selectivity—they're likely to earn $9,000 more annually right away while paying similar debt levels. The small program size at Quinnipiac might offer a more personalized experience, but you're paying a substantial earnings premium for that intimacy. Unless there's a compelling non-financial reason to choose Quinnipiac, the flagship university system offers better economic returns for mechanical engineering in Connecticut.