Mechanical Engineering at California State University-Fresno

Fresno, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
74 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
76
Optimistic
74
Base Case
72
Pessimistic
Earnings $65,938/yr (-7% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)
Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)
ROI 32.1x earnings multiple (11.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #31 of 320 Mechanical Engineering programs Top 10%

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 $945K $896K $757K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 33.9x 32.1x 27.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 12.5x 11.9x 10.0x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 71% 50%
DegreeOutlook Score 76 74 72

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$27,920
Out-of-state: $75,440 (11.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$25,920
7% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,940
2.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$97,316
48% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

California State University-Fresno's Mechanical Engineering program produces graduates earning $65,938/yr — within striking distance of the $70,527 national average for this field.

The 32.1x 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 — 53% task exposure — and the 20% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $12,940 in median debt clears quickly against $65,938 in annual earnings.

A #31 ranking out of 320 Mechanical Engineering programs nationally puts California State University-Fresno in the top 10% — a strong but not elite position.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $65,938 to $97,316 shows 48% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About California State University-Fresno

A 96% acceptance rate means California State University-Fresno is accessible to most applicants, serving a student body of 21,070 in Fresno, CA. Pell Grant recipients make up 56% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University-Fresno →

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

Other Majors at California State University-Fresno

Frequently Asked Questions

How does California State University-Fresno's Mechanical Engineering program score?
A score of 74/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. California State University-Fresno's Mechanical Engineering graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How vulnerable is Mechanical Engineering to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Mechanical Engineering careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 53% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →