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Mechanical Engineering at Merrimack College

North Andover, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
49 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
50
Optimistic
49
Base Case
46
Pessimistic
Earnings $68,615/yr (-3% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)
Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)
ROI 3.4x earnings multiple
Ranked #317 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 $726K $701K $618K
Earnings Multiple 3.5x 3.4x 3.0x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 71% 50%
DegreeOutlook Score 50 49 46

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$207,144
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$151,596
27% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
4.7 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $68,615/yr, roughly in line with the $70,527 national median for Mechanical Engineering. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

At 3.4x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.

The 15% 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 $68,615 far exceeding the $27,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #317 ranking among 320 Mechanical Engineering programs places Merrimack College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

About Merrimack College

Merrimack College accepts 74% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a compact campus enrolling 4,043 students in North Andover, MA.

See all programs and financial aid at Merrimack College →

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 Merrimack College

Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($79,659) Civil Engineering ($75,556) Computer Science ($70,256) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($48,018) Criminal Justice and Corrections ($43,323) Biology, General ($41,506) Political Science and Government ($35,619) Psychology, General ($34,453)

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 49/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Mechanical Engineering at Merrimack College?
At 49/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Mechanical Engineering programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Mechanical Engineering at Merrimack College?
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 →