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Mechanical Engineering at University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus

Waterbury, CT · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $74,869/yr (6% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)

Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)

ROI 11.9x earnings multiple (5.2x out-of-state)

Ranked #181 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	$876K	$834K	$713K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	12.5x	11.9x	10.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.5x	5.2x	4.4x
Probability of Field Employment	80%	71%	50%
DegreeOutlook Score	71	70	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)

$69,848

Out-of-state: $160,520 (5.2x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$35,584

49% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$22,089

3.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$93,562

25% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $74,869/yr, edging above the $70,527 national average for Mechanical Engineering — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.9x 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.

At $22,089 in median debt against $74,869 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #181 of 320 Mechanical Engineering programs, University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $74,869 to $93,562 over five years — a 25% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus

University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus has a 87% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a smaller student body of 746 in Waterbury, CT. 50% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $35,584 — 49% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus →

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 Connecticut-Waterbury Campus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Mechanical Engineering at University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus?

This program scores 70/100 — 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 $712,715 in decade earnings vs $875,567 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

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