Mechanical Engineering at University of Florida-Online

Gainesville, FL · Public · Bachelor's Degree
76 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
78
Optimistic
76
Base Case
73
Pessimistic
Earnings $76,228/yr (8% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)
Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)
ROI 54.0x earnings multiple (12.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #13 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 $880K $838K $715K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 56.7x 54.0x 46.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 13.3x 12.6x 10.8x
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)
$15,504
Out-of-state: $66,316 (12.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$18,808
-21% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,131
2.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$94,291
24% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $76,228/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 54.0x 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 $18,131 in median debt against $76,228 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #13 of 320 nationally, this is a top-5% Mechanical Engineering program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $76,228 to $94,291 over five years — a 24% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of Florida-Online

With a 64% acceptance rate, University of Florida-Online is moderately selective, a smaller institution with 4,577 students in Gainesville, FL.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Florida-Online →

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Mechanical Engineering at University of Florida-Online?
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 $715,341 in decade earnings vs $879,713 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of Florida-Online's Mechanical Engineering program stand out?
Ranked #13 of 320 programs nationally, University of Florida-Online 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 →