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Mechanical Engineering at Milwaukee School of Engineering

Milwaukee, WI · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $68,976/yr (-2% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)

Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)

ROI 4.1x earnings multiple

Ranked #279 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	$828K	$792K	$683K
Earnings Multiple	4.3x	4.1x	3.5x
Probability of Field Employment	80%	71%	50%
DegreeOutlook Score	60	59	56

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$193,684

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$96,084

50% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$27,000

4.7 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$87,507

27% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $68,976/yr, Mechanical Engineering graduates from Milwaukee School of Engineering land near the $70,527 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

An earnings multiple of 4.1x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.

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 18% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $27,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #279 of 320 Mechanical Engineering programs, Milwaukee School of Engineering falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $68,976 to $87,507 over five years — a 27% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Milwaukee School of Engineering

Milwaukee School of Engineering accepts 60% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, with a smaller student body of 2,607 in Milwaukee, WI. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $96,084 — 50% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Milwaukee School 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

Mechanical Engineering at Other Schools

Other Majors at Milwaukee School of Engineering

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Mechanical Engineering at Milwaukee School of Engineering?

This program scores 59/100 — 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 $682,672 in decade earnings vs $828,107 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Is Milwaukee School of Engineering a hidden gem for Mechanical Engineering?

After financial aid, the average student pays $96,084 over four years — 50% below the $193,684 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.

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