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Mechanical Engineering at University of Illinois Chicago

Chicago, IL · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $69,871/yr (-1% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)

Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)

ROI 13.9x earnings multiple (6.8x out-of-state)

Ranked #161 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	$834K	$797K	$686K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	14.5x	13.9x	12.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	7.1x	6.8x	5.8x
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)

$57,352

Out-of-state: $117,440 (6.8x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$49,252

14% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$20,146

3.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$88,275

26% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of Illinois Chicago's Mechanical Engineering program produces graduates earning $69,871/yr — within striking distance of the $70,527 national average for this field.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 13.9x 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 18% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $20,146 in median debt clears quickly against $69,871 in annual earnings.

Ranked #161 of 320 Mechanical Engineering programs, University of Illinois Chicago falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $69,871 to $88,275 over five years — a 26% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of Illinois Chicago

A 78% acceptance rate means University of Illinois Chicago is accessible to most applicants, one of the larger campuses at 21,814 students in Chicago, IL. With 50% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Illinois Chicago →

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 Illinois Chicago

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Mechanical Engineering at University of Illinois Chicago?

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 $686,236 in decade earnings vs $833,739 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

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