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Mechanical Engineering at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $73,433/yr (4% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)

Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)

ROI 13.0x earnings multiple (5.9x out-of-state)

Ranked #149 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	$900K	$856K	$728K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	13.6x	13.0x	11.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	6.2x	5.9x	5.0x
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)

$65,952

Out-of-state: $145,608 (5.9x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$68,556

-4% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$17,132

2.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$95,566

30% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $73,433 track close to the $70,527 national median for Mechanical Engineering programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 13.0x 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 $17,132 in median debt against $73,433 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #149 of 320 Mechanical Engineering programs, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $73,433 to $95,566 over five years — a 30% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities has a 77% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, one of the larger campuses at 30,469 students in Minneapolis, MN.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities →

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 Minnesota-Twin Cities

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Mechanical Engineering at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities?

This program scores 71/100 — 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 $728,311 in decade earnings vs $900,204 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

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