Mechanical Engineering at Oakland University

Rochester Hills, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree
74 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
75
Optimistic
74
Base Case
70
Pessimistic
Earnings $78,213/yr (11% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)
Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)
ROI 15.2x earnings multiple (9.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #43 of 320 Mechanical Engineering programs Top 25%

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 $945K $896K $757K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 16.1x 15.2x 12.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 10.2x 9.7x 8.2x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 71% 50%
DegreeOutlook Score 75 74 70

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$58,776
Out-of-state: $92,752 (9.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$54,336
8% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,500
3.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$101,107
29% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $78,213/yr, edging above the $70,527 national average for Mechanical Engineering — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 15.2x 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 20% gap from the optimistic case.

At $21,500 in median debt against $78,213 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #43 of 320 nationally, this is a top-5% Mechanical Engineering program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $78,213 to $101,107 over five years — a 29% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Oakland University

Oakland University has a 70% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, enrolling 12,450 students in Rochester Hills, MI.

See all programs and financial aid at Oakland 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 Oakland University?
This program scores 74/100 — 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 $756,714 in decade earnings vs $945,074 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Oakland University's Mechanical Engineering program stand out?
Ranked #43 of 320 programs nationally, Oakland University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →