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Mechanical Engineering at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Edinburg, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $60,924/yr (-14% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)

Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)

ROI 18.1x earnings multiple (9.0x out-of-state)

Ranked #189 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	$741K	$714K	$627K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	18.8x	18.1x	15.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	9.3x	9.0x	7.9x
Probability of Field Employment	80%	71%	50%
DegreeOutlook Score	70	69	67

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$39,436

Out-of-state: $79,756 (9.0x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$26,000

34% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$15,125

3.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$77,043

26% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $60,924/yr, roughly in line with the $70,527 national median for Mechanical Engineering. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

With a 18.1x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 15% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Mechanical Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

With first-year pay of $60,924 far exceeding the $15,125 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #189 ranking among 320 Mechanical Engineering programs places The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 26% earnings increase from $60,924 to $77,043 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley accepts 85% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with 27,026 students enrolled in Edinburg, TX. 64% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity. The average net cost of $26,000 over four years represents a 34% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley →

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 The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 69/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Mechanical Engineering at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley?

At 69/100, the score looks reasonable — but Mechanical Engineering is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.

Should I worry about AI if I study Mechanical Engineering at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley?

The 53% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

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