Mechanical Engineering at University of New Haven

University of New Haven's mechanical engineering graduates earn substantially less than their Connecticut peers—$62,534 versus a state median of $74,772. That $12,000+ gap matters when you consider that UConn graduates, who attend a less expensive public institution, out-earn UNH grads by nearly $13,000 annually from day one. The program ranks in just the 25th percentile among Connecticut engineering schools, meaning three-quarters of competitors deliver better outcomes.

The $27,000 debt load is reasonable in absolute terms, giving graduates a manageable 0.43 debt-to-earnings ratio. Earnings do grow to $78,504 by year four, representing solid 26% growth. But that still leaves graduates trailing the typical Connecticut mechanical engineer, who starts their career at $74,772. You're paying private tuition prices for outcomes that lag behind the public flagship by a significant margin.

For Connecticut families, UConn's various campuses all report identical earnings of $74,869—roughly $12,000 more at career start than UNH. Unless your student has compelling reasons to choose UNH specifically (location, smaller classes, or fit), the state's public option delivers stronger financial returns. The debt is manageable here, but the opportunity cost of lower earnings compounds over a career.