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Mechanical Engineering at Florida Institute of Technology

Melbourne, FL · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
61 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
62
Optimistic
61
Base Case
58
Pessimistic
Earnings $69,533/yr (-1% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)
Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)
ROI 4.8x earnings multiple
Ranked #230 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 $892K $849K $723K
Earnings Multiple 5.0x 4.8x 4.1x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 71% 50%
DegreeOutlook Score 62 61 58

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$177,440
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$141,200
20% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,782
4.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$93,714
35% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $69,533/yr, roughly in line with the $70,527 national median for Mechanical Engineering. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

At 4.8x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.

The 19% 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 $69,533 far exceeding the $26,782 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #230 ranking among 320 Mechanical Engineering programs places Florida Institute of Technology in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 35% earnings increase from $69,533 to $93,714 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Florida Institute of Technology

A 63% admission rate makes Florida Institute of Technology accessible to a wide range of qualified students, a smaller institution with 3,235 students in Melbourne, FL.

See all programs and financial aid at Florida Institute of Technology →

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

California State University Maritime Academy ($92,315) 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)

Other Majors at Florida Institute of Technology

Computer Engineering ($79,244) Computer Science ($75,231) Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering ($69,149) Ocean Engineering ($68,475) Management Information Systems and Services ($65,770) Civil Engineering ($64,579) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($63,708) Information Science/Studies ($59,368)

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 61/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Mechanical Engineering at Florida Institute of Technology?
At 61/100, 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 Florida Institute of Technology?
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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →