Computer Engineering at University of Denver

Computer engineering programs in Colorado typically launch graduates into strong first-year earnings, and the estimated $82,084 figure here—drawn from the state median—aligns closely with that pattern. The projected $26,146 in debt produces a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.32, meaning graduates would need roughly four months of their first year's salary to cover what they borrowed. That's manageable territory for an engineering degree, particularly when comparable programs nationally carry similar debt loads around $24,500.

What complicates the picture is the wide variation among Colorado's computer engineering programs. University of Colorado Boulder graduates earn around $86,000 their first year, while University of Northern Colorado sits at $56,000—a $30,000 spread that shows just how much program quality and employer connections matter. Without actual outcome data from DU's specific program, it's unclear where their graduates fall within that range, though the school's 71% admission rate and strong SAT scores (1344 average) suggest reasonable rigor.

The smart move here is treating these estimates as a starting point rather than a guarantee. Before committing to DU's program specifically, press the school directly for placement data: where do their computer engineering graduates work, and what do they actually earn? If the school can't or won't provide concrete outcomes that justify their price point, that silence tells you something important about whether they're confident in their results.