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Mechanical Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $82,227/yr (17% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)

Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)

ROI 19.6x earnings multiple (5.3x out-of-state)

Ranked #11 of 320 Mechanical Engineering programs Top 5%

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	$965K	$914K	$769K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	20.7x	19.6x	16.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.6x	5.3x	4.5x
Probability of Field Employment	80%	71%	50%
DegreeOutlook Score	78	76	73

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$46,712

Out-of-state: $171,112 (5.3x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$78,712

-69% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$18,500

2.7 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$104,021

27% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $82,227 per year, Mechanical Engineering graduates from The University of Texas at Austin earn slightly above the $70,527 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 19.6x 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 20% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $18,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #11 of 320 nationally, this is a top-5% Mechanical Engineering program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $82,227 to $104,021 over five years — a 27% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About The University of Texas at Austin

A 29% acceptance rate puts The University of Texas at Austin in competitive admissions territory, serving a student body of 42,100 in Austin, TX.

See all programs and financial aid at The University of Texas at Austin →

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 →

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Mechanical Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin?

This program scores 76/100 — 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 $769,135 in decade earnings vs $964,695 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes The University of Texas at Austin's Mechanical Engineering program stand out?

Ranked #11 of 320 programs nationally, The University of Texas at Austin lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.

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