Mechanical Engineering at Baylor University

Waco, TX · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
59 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
61
Optimistic
59
Base Case
56
Pessimistic
Earnings $75,726/yr (7% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)
Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)
ROI 3.6x earnings multiple
Ranked #274 of 320 Mechanical Engineering programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $821K $786K $678K
Earnings Multiple 3.7x 3.6x 3.1x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 71% 50%
DegreeOutlook Score 61 59 56

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$219,376
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$167,768
24% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,096
4.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$88,325
17% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $75,726 per year, Mechanical Engineering graduates from Baylor University earn slightly above the $70,527 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

An earnings multiple of 3.6x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.

Some AI exposure exists in Mechanical Engineering's typical career paths, with 53% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 17% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $26,096 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #274 of 320 Mechanical Engineering programs, Baylor University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $88,325 are relatively flat compared to the $75,726 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

About Baylor University

Baylor University accepts 51% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, serving 15,007 students in Waco, TX.

See all programs and financial aid at Baylor University →

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr
Aerospace engineers $134,830/yr
Engineering teachers, postsecondary $106,120/yr
View all 5 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Mechanical Engineering at Other Schools

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Mechanical Engineering at Baylor University?
This program scores 59/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Mechanical Engineering programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Will AI replace Mechanical Engineering careers?
With 53% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $678,249 in decade earnings vs $821,119 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →