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Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies at American Public University System

Charles Town, WV · Private for-profit · Bachelor's Degree · Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $48,094/yr (-23% vs median)

AI Risk Moderate (28% exposed)

Job Market Large (87,000 openings/yr)

ROI 15.6x earnings multiple

Ranked #52 of 59 Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$525K	$523K	$494K
Earnings Multiple	15.6x	15.6x	14.7x
Probability of Field Employment	55%	52%	45%
DegreeOutlook Score	52	52	52

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$33,600

Median Debt at Graduation

$26,612

6.6 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (4 Year)

$72,382

51% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $48,094 place American Public University System below the $62,227 national median for Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 15.6x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies's typical career paths, with 28% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 6% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $26,612 represents roughly 7 months of the $48,094 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #52 of 59 Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies programs, American Public University System falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About American Public University System

with 38,976 students enrolled in Charles Town, WV.

See all programs and financial aid at American Public University System →

Top Career Paths

Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians $79,830/yr

Engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, all other $77,390/yr

Electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians $70,760/yr

View all 7 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies at Other Schools

Other Majors at American Public University System

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies at American Public University System?

This program scores 52/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.

Can you still earn well with Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies from American Public University System?

First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →