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Mechanical Engineering at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

Rapid City, SD · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $69,667/yr (-1% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)

Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)

ROI 19.5x earnings multiple (13.7x out-of-state)

Ranked #99 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	$848K	$809K	$695K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	20.4x	19.5x	16.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	14.3x	13.7x	11.7x
Probability of Field Employment	80%	71%	50%
DegreeOutlook Score	74	73	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)

$41,600

Out-of-state: $59,200 (13.7x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$81,520

-96% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$25,500

4.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$89,548

29% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $69,667/yr, roughly in line with the $70,527 national median for Mechanical Engineering. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 19.5x 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.

With first-year pay of $69,667 far exceeding the $25,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #99 of 320 Mechanical Engineering programs, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $69,667 to $89,548 over five years — a 29% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology accepts 85% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a compact campus enrolling 2,042 students in Rapid City, SD.

See all programs and financial aid at South Dakota School of Mines and 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

Other Majors at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Mechanical Engineering at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology?

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 $694,952 in decade earnings vs $847,506 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

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