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Mechanical Engineering at Lamar University

Beaumont, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $68,359/yr (-3% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)

Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)

ROI 27.6x earnings multiple (13.0x out-of-state)

Ranked #26 of 320 Mechanical Engineering programs Top 10%

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	$1,017K	$960K	$802K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	29.3x	27.6x	23.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	13.8x	13.0x	10.9x
Probability of Field Employment	80%	71%	50%
DegreeOutlook Score	76	75	72

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$34,760

Out-of-state: $73,928 (13.0x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$45,716

-32% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$27,500

4.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$104,395

53% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Lamar University's Mechanical Engineering program produces graduates earning $68,359/yr — within striking distance of the $70,527 national average for this field.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 27.6x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Mechanical Engineering programs nationally.

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 21% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $27,500 in median debt clears quickly against $68,359 in annual earnings.

Ranked #26 of 320 programs, Lamar University's Mechanical Engineering program falls in the top 10%, outperforming most peers on financial outcomes.

Five-year earnings of $104,395 show a 53% jump from the $68,359 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Lamar University

A 86% acceptance rate means Lamar University is accessible to most applicants, serving 7,945 students in Beaumont, TX. With 44% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at Lamar 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

This program scores 75/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Mechanical Engineering nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.

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 $802,188 in decade earnings vs $1,016,911 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

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