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Mechanical Engineering at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering

Needham, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
63 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
64
Optimistic
63
Base Case
59
Pessimistic
Earnings $87,590/yr (24% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)
Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)
ROI 3.6x earnings multiple
Ranked #219 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 $979K $926K $778K
Earnings Multiple 3.8x 3.6x 3.0x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 71% 50%
DegreeOutlook Score 64 63 59

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$257,832
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$82,300
68% less than sticker · See by income
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$106,657
22% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Franklin W Olin College of Engineering's Mechanical Engineering graduates start at $87,590/yr — above the $70,527 national average, though not by a wide margin.

The 3.6x return on tuition is positive but not overwhelming. Financial outcomes depend on keeping costs close to in-state rates.

AI risk is moderate — 53% task exposure — and the 21% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

At #219 out of 320 programs, Franklin W Olin College of Engineering's financial outcomes for Mechanical Engineering trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $87,590 to $106,657 shows 22% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Franklin W Olin College of Engineering

Admission to Franklin W Olin College of Engineering is competitive, with 22% of applicants accepted, a smaller institution with 373 students in Needham, MA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $82,300 — 68% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering →

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) 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)

Other Majors at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering

Engineering, General ($109,455)

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Franklin W Olin College of Engineering's Mechanical Engineering program score?
A score of 63/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Franklin W Olin College of Engineering trails the majority of Mechanical Engineering programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
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.
How affordable is Mechanical Engineering at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering after financial aid?
Sticker price is $257,832, but the average net cost is $82,300 — a 68% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →