Program Analysis
Graduates earn $69,638/yr, roughly in line with the $70,527 national median for Mechanical Engineering. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 15.3x 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.
With first-year pay of $69,638 far exceeding the $27,250 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
At #151 of 320 Mechanical Engineering programs, University of Missouri-St Louis scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.
Earnings grow from $69,638 to $90,966 over five years — a 31% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.