Mechanical Engineering at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree
73 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
74
Optimistic
73
Base Case
69
Pessimistic
Earnings $82,823/yr (17% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)
Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)
ROI 12.9x earnings multiple (3.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #86 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 $938K $889K $752K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.6x 12.9x 10.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.0x 3.8x 3.2x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 71% 50%
DegreeOutlook Score 74 73 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)
$68,912
Out-of-state: $232,288 (3.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$59,328
14% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,500
3.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$101,514
23% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $82,823 per year, Mechanical Engineering graduates from University of Michigan-Ann Arbor earn slightly above the $70,527 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

The 12.9x 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 20% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The median debt load of $20,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #86 out of 320 programs, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor's Mechanical Engineering offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $82,823 to $101,514 shows 23% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

A 18% acceptance rate puts University of Michigan-Ann Arbor in competitive admissions territory, serving a student body of 33,488 in Ann Arbor, MI.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor →

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 Michigan-Ann Arbor

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of Michigan-Ann Arbor's Mechanical Engineering program score?
A score of 73/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor'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 →