Mechanical Engineering at Oklahoma State University-Main Campus

Stillwater, OK · Public · Bachelor's Degree
73 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
75
Optimistic
73
Base Case
71
Pessimistic
Earnings $69,905/yr (-1% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)
Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)
ROI 20.2x earnings multiple (8.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #97 of 320 Mechanical Engineering programs Top 50%

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 $869K $828K $708K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 21.2x 20.2x 17.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.4x 8.0x 6.9x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 71% 50%
DegreeOutlook Score 75 73 71

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$40,936
Out-of-state: $103,016 (8.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$65,512
-60% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,637
3.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$91,640
31% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $69,905 track close to the $70,527 national median for Mechanical Engineering programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 20.2x 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 18% gap from the optimistic case.

At $20,637 in median debt against $69,905 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #97 of 320 Mechanical Engineering programs, Oklahoma State University-Main Campus scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $69,905 to $91,640 over five years — a 31% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Oklahoma State University-Main Campus

Oklahoma State University-Main Campus has a 71% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with 20,814 students enrolled in Stillwater, OK.

See all programs and financial aid at Oklahoma State University-Main Campus →

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 Oklahoma State University-Main Campus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Mechanical Engineering at Oklahoma State University-Main Campus?
This program scores 73/100 — 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 $708,456 in decade earnings vs $868,838 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →