Engineering, General at Fort Lewis College

Durango, CO · Public · Bachelor's Degree
62 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
63
Optimistic
62
Base Case
60
Pessimistic
Earnings $50,985/yr (-26% vs median)
AI Risk High (46% exposed)
Job Market Medium (27,900 openings/yr)
ROI 17.9x earnings multiple (8.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #16 of 47 Engineering, General programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Engineering, General graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $710K $691K $617K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 18.3x 17.9x 15.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.5x 8.3x 7.4x
Probability of Field Employment 69% 63% 47%
DegreeOutlook Score 63 62 60

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$38,680
Out-of-state: $83,192 (8.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$69,356
-79% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,397
6.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$74,411
46% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $50,985/yr fall 26% below the $69,222 national median for Engineering, General. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The 17.9x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 46% task exposure — and the 13% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

At $25,397 in median debt against $50,985 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #16 out of 47 programs, Fort Lewis College's Engineering, General offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $50,985 to $74,411 shows 46% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Fort Lewis College

Fort Lewis College has a 93% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a smaller institution with 3,070 students in Durango, CO.

See all programs and financial aid at Fort Lewis College →

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr
Engineers, all other $117,750/yr
Engineering teachers, postsecondary $106,120/yr
View all 3 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Engineering, General at Other Schools

Other Majors at Fort Lewis College

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Fort Lewis College's Engineering, General program score?
This program scores 62/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Engineering, General graduates.
How vulnerable is Engineering, General to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Engineering, General careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 46% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Engineering, General earnings lower at Fort Lewis College?
Lower starting pay at Fort Lewis College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →