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Mechanical Engineering at Texas A & M University-Kingsville

Kingsville, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $56,135/yr (-20% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)

Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)

ROI 21.7x earnings multiple (8.2x out-of-state)

Ranked #179 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	$902K	$857K	$729K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	22.8x	21.7x	18.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	8.6x	8.2x	7.0x
Probability of Field Employment	80%	71%	50%
DegreeOutlook Score	72	70	69

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$39,568

Out-of-state: $104,424 (8.2x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$40,816

-3% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$21,678

4.6 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$89,788

60% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $56,135/yr fall 20% below the $70,527 national median for Mechanical Engineering. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 21.7x 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 19% gap from the optimistic case.

At $21,678 in median debt against $56,135 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #179 of 320 Mechanical Engineering programs, Texas A & M University-Kingsville falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $89,788 show a 60% jump from the $56,135 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Texas A & M University-Kingsville

Texas A & M University-Kingsville has a 92% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a smaller institution with 4,622 students in Kingsville, TX. Pell Grant recipients make up 55% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at Texas A & M University-Kingsville →

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 Texas A & M University-Kingsville

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Mechanical Engineering at Texas A & M University-Kingsville?

This program scores 70/100 — 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 $729,231 in decade earnings vs $901,659 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Mechanical Engineering from Texas A & M University-Kingsville?

First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.

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