Chemical Engineering at University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus

UConn Hartford's chemical engineering program sits exactly at Connecticut's median for this major—in fact, all UConn campuses report identical earnings figures, suggesting these graduates enter the same job market regardless of which campus they attended. The $68,025 starting salary trails the national median by about $5,000, placing this in the 26th percentile nationally, but the 60th percentile ranking within Connecticut tells a more complete story: this program performs better than most in-state options, and Connecticut's competitive engineering market likely explains why the state median falls below the national average.

The debt picture looks manageable with graduates owing $25,898—just slightly above the national median but close enough to suggest reasonable borrowing. More importantly, the debt represents only 38% of first-year earnings, well within sustainable territory. The strong 23% earnings growth to $83,620 by year four indicates these graduates are advancing into mid-level engineering roles on schedule. That trajectory matters more for chemical engineers than initial placement, since specialized experience commands significant premiums in this field.

For Connecticut families, this is straightforward: you're getting solid preparation at the state's median salary for chemical engineering without excessive debt. The starting pay may not impress compared to higher-paying markets elsewhere, but the growth curve and debt load make this a workable investment, especially at in-state tuition rates.