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Mechanical Engineering at The University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, AL · Public · Bachelor's Degree
73 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
75
Optimistic
73
Base Case
70
Pessimistic
Earnings $75,238/yr (7% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)
Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)
ROI 17.2x earnings multiple (6.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #68 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 $857K $817K $701K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 18.0x 17.2x 14.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.5x 6.2x 5.3x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 71% 50%
DegreeOutlook Score 75 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)
$47,600
Out-of-state: $132,800 (6.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$88,600
-86% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,015
3.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$91,807
22% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $75,238 per year, Mechanical Engineering graduates from The University of Alabama earn slightly above the $70,527 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

The 17.2x 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 18% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The median debt load of $24,015 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #68 out of 320 programs, The University of Alabama's Mechanical Engineering program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $75,238 to $91,807 shows 22% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About The University of Alabama

With 76% of applicants admitted, The University of Alabama prioritizes broad access, one of the larger campuses at 32,323 students in Tuscaloosa, AL.

See all programs and financial aid at The University of Alabama →

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

Compare this program → View all 320 schools offering Mechanical Engineering →

Mechanical Engineering at Other Schools

California State University Maritime Academy ($92,315) Duke University ($89,938) University of California-Berkeley ($88,497) Franklin W Olin College of Engineering ($87,590) Cornell University ($85,440) Princeton University ($85,328) University of Notre Dame ($84,999) Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($83,957)

Other Majors at The University of Alabama

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($83,651) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($79,504) Management Information Systems and Services ($74,078) Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering ($73,887) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($73,000) Civil Engineering ($70,619) Chemical Engineering ($69,809) Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods ($60,832)

Frequently Asked Questions

How does The University of Alabama's Mechanical Engineering program score?
A score of 73/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. The University of Alabama'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.
Why does The University of Alabama rank so high for Mechanical Engineering?
The #68 ranking out of 320 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →