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Mechanical Engineering at Fairfield University

Fairfield, CT · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $62,846/yr (-11% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)

Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)

ROI 3.6x earnings multiple

Ranked #296 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	$862K	$822K	$704K
Earnings Multiple	3.8x	3.6x	3.1x
Probability of Field Employment	80%	71%	50%
DegreeOutlook Score	58	57	54

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$225,440

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$185,096

18% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$26,644

5.1 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$88,933

42% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $62,846 track close to the $70,527 national median for Mechanical Engineering programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

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 18% gap from the optimistic case.

At $26,644 in median debt against $62,846 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #296 of 320 Mechanical Engineering programs, Fairfield University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $62,846 to $88,933 over five years — a 42% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Fairfield University

With a 45% acceptance rate, Fairfield University is moderately selective, a smaller institution with 4,938 students in Fairfield, CT.

See all programs and financial aid at Fairfield 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 Fairfield University

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Mechanical Engineering at Fairfield University?

This program scores 57/100 — 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 $704,407 in decade earnings vs $862,444 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

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