Materials Engineering at University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus

UConn-Waterbury's materials engineering program produces graduates earning $75,607 within a year—matching the state median and landing at the 75th percentile nationally. That's impressive performance for a campus with an 87% admission rate serving a predominantly working-class student body (half receive Pell grants). The $27,000 median debt is reasonable relative to those earnings, creating a manageable debt-to-income ratio of 0.36 that most financial advisors would consider sustainable.

The catch is what happens after year one: earnings barely budge, growing just 1% over four years to $76,010. This suggests graduates land solid entry-level positions but may face limited advancement opportunities or industry constraints. Interestingly, all UConn campuses report identical earnings figures for this program, likely reflecting a shared degree and similar employer networks across the state's relatively small materials engineering market.

For families weighing this option, the value depends on your timeline. If your student needs to start earning quickly and can handle $27,000 in debt, this program delivers. The first-year salary supports immediate financial independence. However, if you're banking on significant salary growth to justify the investment, the flat earnings trajectory might disappoint. The program works best for students who prize accessibility and solid starting pay over aggressive career advancement.