Mechanical Engineering at Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR · Public · Bachelor's Degree
75 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
76
Optimistic
75
Base Case
72
Pessimistic
Earnings $75,750/yr (7% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)
Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)
ROI 18.1x earnings multiple (6.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #24 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 $969K $918K $772K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 19.1x 18.1x 15.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.8x 6.4x 5.4x
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)
$50,748
Out-of-state: $142,368 (6.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$65,564
-29% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,458
4.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$102,683
36% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $75,750 per year, Mechanical Engineering graduates from Oregon Institute of Technology earn slightly above the $70,527 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

The 18.1x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 53% task exposure — and the 20% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The median debt load of $25,458 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

A #24 ranking out of 320 Mechanical Engineering programs nationally puts Oregon Institute of Technology in the top 10% — a strong but not elite position.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $75,750 to $102,683 shows 36% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Oregon Institute of Technology

With 92% of applicants admitted, Oregon Institute of Technology prioritizes broad access, a compact campus enrolling 2,913 students in Klamath Falls, OR.

See all programs and financial aid at Oregon Institute of Technology →

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

How does Oregon Institute of Technology's Mechanical Engineering program score?
A score of 75/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Oregon Institute of Technology's Mechanical Engineering graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How vulnerable is Mechanical Engineering to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Mechanical Engineering careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 53% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →