Mechanical Engineering at Florida International University

Miami, FL · Public · Bachelor's Degree
75 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
77
Optimistic
75
Base Case
73
Pessimistic
Earnings $71,335/yr (1% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)
Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)
ROI 32.4x earnings multiple (11.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #17 of 320 Mechanical Engineering programs Top 5%

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 $895K $852K $725K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 34.1x 32.4x 27.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 11.8x 11.2x 9.6x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 71% 50%
DegreeOutlook Score 77 75 73

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$26,260
Out-of-state: $75,852 (11.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$36,532
-39% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,395
2.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$94,520
33% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $71,335/yr, Mechanical Engineering graduates from Florida International University land near the $70,527 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The 32.4x 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 19% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The median debt load of $17,395 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #17 out of 320 programs, Florida International University's Mechanical Engineering program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $71,335 to $94,520 shows 33% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Florida International University

Florida International University accepts 59% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, one of the larger campuses at 38,761 students in Miami, FL. With 40% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at Florida International 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

Compare Mechanical Engineering

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does Florida International University's Mechanical Engineering program score?
A score of 75/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Florida International University'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 Florida International University rank so high for Mechanical Engineering?
The #17 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 →