Materials Engineering at University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus

UConn Hartford's materials engineering program delivers strong starting salaries that place graduates at the 75th percentile nationally—$75,607 straight out of school. The $27,000 in median debt translates to a manageable 0.36 debt-to-earnings ratio, well below concerning thresholds. What stands out is the low debt burden compared to peer programs: this sits at just the 25th percentile nationally, meaning 75% of materials engineering programs saddle students with more debt for similar outcomes.

The catch is stagnation. Four years out, median earnings barely budge to $76,010—essentially flat growth when you'd typically expect meaningful career progression. This isn't unique to UConn Hartford (Connecticut's materials engineering programs cluster tightly around $75,000), but it suggests the field itself may face early career plateaus in this region. Among Connecticut's five programs offering this major, UConn Hartford ties at the state median, performing identically to its sister campuses.

For families weighing this investment, the combination of solid entry-level pay and below-average debt makes this financially sound. The 86% admission rate and high Pell grant recipient percentage (46%) indicate accessible entry. Just understand that while you're buying security—good starting earnings with manageable debt—you're not necessarily buying rapid advancement. If your student values stability over aggressive salary growth, this program delivers clear value.