Home › University of Nebraska-Lincoln › Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical Engineering at University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Lincoln, NE · Public · Bachelor's Degree
72 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
74
Optimistic
72
Base Case
70
Pessimistic
Earnings $71,318/yr (1% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)
Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)
ROI 18.7x earnings multiple (6.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #122 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 $789K $757K $658K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 19.5x 18.7x 16.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.1x 6.8x 5.9x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 71% 50%
DegreeOutlook Score 74 72 70

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$40,432
Out-of-state: $110,992 (6.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$69,696
-72% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,767
3.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$84,216
18% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Mechanical Engineering program produces graduates earning $71,318/yr — within striking distance of the $70,527 national average for this field.

The 18.7x 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.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $20,767 in median debt clears quickly against $71,318 in annual earnings.

Ranked #122 out of 320 programs, University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Mechanical Engineering offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth is modest: $71,318 to $84,216 over five years (18% gain). This field may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

About University of Nebraska-Lincoln

A 77% acceptance rate means University of Nebraska-Lincoln is accessible to most applicants, enrolling 18,887 students in Lincoln, NE.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Nebraska-Lincoln →

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

Compare this program → View all 320 schools offering Mechanical Engineering →

Mechanical Engineering at Other Schools

California State University Maritime Academy ($92,315) Duke University ($89,938) University of California-Berkeley ($88,497) Franklin W Olin College of Engineering ($87,590) Cornell University ($85,440) Princeton University ($85,328) University of Notre Dame ($84,999) Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($83,957)

Other Majors at University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Computer Engineering ($82,398) Chemical Engineering ($79,603) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($78,101) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($78,017) Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods ($75,137) Agricultural Engineering ($73,907) Construction Engineering Technologies ($71,797) Civil Engineering ($70,542)

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Mechanical Engineering program score?
A score of 72/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. University of Nebraska-Lincoln'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 →