Mechanical Engineering at University of Connecticut-Avery Point

UConn-Avery Point's mechanical engineering program produces graduates who earn nearly identical amounts to those from the flagship UConn campus—$74,869 in the first year—while carrying the same modest debt load of $23,000. This branch campus delivers flagship results at a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.31, meaning graduates owe less than four months of their first-year salary. Nationally, these graduates land in the 76th percentile for earnings, and by year four they're making $82,004, representing solid 10% growth.

The state context reveals an interesting dynamic: while this program ranks at the 60th percentile among Connecticut's mechanical engineering programs, that's because Connecticut is a high-performing state for this field. The state median of $74,772 sits well above the national median of $70,744, so being "middle of the pack" in Connecticut still means outearning most mechanical engineers nationwide. All five UConn system campuses cluster at the top of Connecticut's rankings with nearly identical outcomes.

For families considering UConn-Avery Point versus the main campus, these numbers suggest the branch location doesn't compromise earning potential. The 87% admission rate makes this an accessible entry point into a strong engineering program, and the debt load is manageable enough that graduates can realistically pay it off within a year or two of full employment.