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Mechanical Engineering at Trine University

Angola, IN · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
60 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
62
Optimistic
60
Base Case
58
Pessimistic
Earnings $66,816/yr (-5% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)
Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)
ROI 5.6x earnings multiple
Ranked #249 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 $835K $798K $687K
Earnings Multiple 5.9x 5.6x 4.8x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 71% 50%
DegreeOutlook Score 62 60 58

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$142,400
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$102,320
28% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
4.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$87,580
31% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $66,816/yr, roughly in line with the $70,527 national median for Mechanical Engineering. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 5.6x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

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 $66,816 far exceeding the $27,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #249 of 320 Mechanical Engineering programs, Trine University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $66,816 to $87,580 over five years — a 31% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Trine University

Trine University accepts 85% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a compact campus enrolling 2,344 students in Angola, IN.

See all programs and financial aid at Trine University →

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 Trine University

Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($73,923) Chemical Engineering ($72,875) Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($67,702) Computer Engineering ($67,500) Civil Engineering ($65,700) Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians ($65,013) Marketing ($51,244) Accounting and Related Services ($45,913)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Mechanical Engineering at Trine University?
This program scores 60/100 — 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 $686,911 in decade earnings vs $834,803 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →