Home › University of California-Irvine › Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical Engineering at University of California-Irvine

Irvine, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $67,633/yr (-4% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)

Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)

ROI 15.3x earnings multiple (4.8x out-of-state)

Ranked #143 of 320 Mechanical Engineering programs Top 50%

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	$919K	$872K	$740K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	16.1x	15.3x	13.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.1x	4.8x	4.1x
Probability of Field Employment	80%	71%	50%
DegreeOutlook Score	72	71	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)

$56,948

Out-of-state: $180,056 (4.8x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$51,360

10% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$14,750

2.6 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$95,534

41% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $67,633/yr, roughly in line with the $70,527 national median for Mechanical Engineering. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 15.3x 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.

With first-year pay of $67,633 far exceeding the $14,750 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #143 of 320 Mechanical Engineering programs, University of California-Irvine scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $67,633 to $95,534 over five years — a 41% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of California-Irvine

University of California-Irvine accepts 26% of applicants — selective, though not ultra-competitive, serving a student body of 29,494 in Irvine, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of California-Irvine →

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 University of California-Irvine

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Mechanical Engineering at University of California-Irvine?

This program scores 71/100 — 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 $739,896 in decade earnings vs $918,504 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

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