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Mechanical Engineering at California State University Maritime Academy

Vallejo, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
79 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
80
Optimistic
79
Base Case
75
Pessimistic
Earnings $92,315/yr (31% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)
Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)
ROI 32.2x earnings multiple (12.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #1 of 320 Mechanical Engineering programs Top 1%

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 $1,050K $989K $823K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 34.2x 32.2x 26.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 13.4x 12.7x 10.5x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 71% 50%
DegreeOutlook Score 80 79 75

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$30,688
Out-of-state: $78,208 (12.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$70,220
-129% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,690
2.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$114,735
24% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $92,315 per year, Mechanical Engineering graduates from California State University Maritime Academy significantly outpace the $70,527 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

The 32.2x 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 22% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The median debt load of $19,690 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

A #1 ranking out of 320 programs puts California State University Maritime Academy in the top 1% for Mechanical Engineering. By our composite measure, very few programs deliver stronger results.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $92,315 to $114,735 shows 24% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About California State University Maritime Academy

With 99% of applicants admitted, California State University Maritime Academy prioritizes broad access, with a smaller student body of 761 in Vallejo, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University Maritime Academy →

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

Compare this program → View all 320 schools offering Mechanical Engineering →

Mechanical Engineering at Other Schools

Duke University ($89,938) University of California-Berkeley ($88,497) Franklin W Olin College of Engineering ($87,590) Cornell University ($85,440) Princeton University ($85,328) University of Notre Dame ($84,999) Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($83,957) University of Southern California ($83,356)

Compare Mechanical Engineering

California State University Maritime Academy vs University of California-Berkeley →

Other Majors at California State University Maritime Academy

Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians ($98,661) Marine Transportation ($87,464) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($57,265) International Relations and National Security Studies ($42,924)

Frequently Asked Questions

How does California State University Maritime Academy's Mechanical Engineering program score?
A score of 79/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. California State University Maritime Academy'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.
Why does California State University Maritime Academy rank so high for Mechanical Engineering?
The #1 ranking out of 320 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →