Home › University of Maine › Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical Engineering at University of Maine

Orono, ME · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $69,687/yr (-1% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)

Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)

ROI 15.6x earnings multiple (5.6x out-of-state)

Ranked #146 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	$822K	$787K	$679K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	16.3x	15.6x	13.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.8x	5.6x	4.8x
Probability of Field Employment	80%	71%	50%
DegreeOutlook Score	72	71	68

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$50,424

Out-of-state: $141,384 (5.6x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$72,180

-43% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$26,073

4.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$87,105

25% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $69,687/yr, Mechanical Engineering graduates from University of Maine land near the $70,527 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The 15.6x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 53% task exposure — and the 17% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The median debt load of $26,073 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #146 out of 320 programs, University of Maine's Mechanical Engineering offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $69,687 to $87,105 shows 25% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About University of Maine

With 96% of applicants admitted, University of Maine prioritizes broad access, with a mid-sized student body of 8,341 in Orono, ME.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Maine →

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 Maine

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of Maine's Mechanical Engineering program score?

A score of 71/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. University of Maine's Mechanical Engineering graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.

How vulnerable is Mechanical Engineering to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Mechanical Engineering careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 53% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

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