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Mechanical Engineering at Cornell University

Ithaca, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $85,440/yr (21% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)

Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)

ROI 3.8x earnings multiple

Ranked #210 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	$1,061K	$999K	$830K
Earnings Multiple	4.0x	3.8x	3.1x
Probability of Field Employment	80%	71%	50%
DegreeOutlook Score	65	64	60

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$264,056

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$129,348

51% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$15,500

2.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$113,983

33% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $85,440 at Cornell University come in 21% above the national median of $70,527 for Mechanical Engineering programs.

At 3.8x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.

The 22% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Mechanical Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

With first-year pay of $85,440 far exceeding the $15,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #210 ranking among 320 Mechanical Engineering programs places Cornell University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 33% earnings increase from $85,440 to $113,983 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Cornell University

Cornell University's 8% admission rate places it in the top tier of selectivity nationally, enrolling 15,935 students in Ithaca, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $129,348 over four years — 51% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Cornell 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

Other Majors at Cornell University

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 64/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Mechanical Engineering at Cornell University?

At 64/100, the score looks reasonable — but Mechanical Engineering is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.

Should I worry about AI if I study Mechanical Engineering at Cornell University?

The 53% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

What do students actually pay for Mechanical Engineering at Cornell University?

The 51% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $264,056. At a net cost of $129,348, the earnings multiple improves substantially.

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