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Mechanical Engineering at Harding University

Searcy, AR · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $53,229/yr (-25% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)

Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)

ROI 7.7x earnings multiple

Ranked #280 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	$796K	$763K	$662K
Earnings Multiple	8.0x	7.7x	6.7x
Probability of Field Employment	80%	71%	50%
DegreeOutlook Score	59	58	56

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$99,552

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$82,316

17% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$27,000

6.1 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$79,712

50% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Harding University's Mechanical Engineering graduates start at $53,229/yr, trailing the $70,527 national average by 25%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 7.7x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

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 17% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $27,000 represents roughly 6 months of the $53,229 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #280 of 320 Mechanical Engineering programs, Harding University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $53,229 to $79,712 over five years — a 50% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Harding University

A 100% acceptance rate means Harding University is accessible to most applicants, a smaller institution with 3,323 students in Searcy, AR.

See all programs and financial aid at Harding 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 Harding University

Frequently Asked Questions

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

This program scores 58/100 — 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 $662,230 in decade earnings vs $795,815 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Mechanical Engineering from Harding University?

First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.

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