Mechanical Engineering at University of Nevada-Reno

Reno, NV · Public · Bachelor's Degree
72 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
73
Optimistic
72
Base Case
70
Pessimistic
Earnings $61,977/yr (-12% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)
Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)
ROI 22.6x earnings multiple (7.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #124 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 $854K $815K $699K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 23.7x 22.6x 19.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.2x 7.8x 6.7x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 71% 50%
DegreeOutlook Score 73 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)
$35,976
Out-of-state: $103,800 (7.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$61,608
-71% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,955
4.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$87,851
42% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of Nevada-Reno's Mechanical Engineering program produces graduates earning $61,977/yr — within striking distance of the $70,527 national average for this field.

The 22.6x 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 18% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $21,955 in median debt clears quickly against $61,977 in annual earnings.

Ranked #124 out of 320 programs, University of Nevada-Reno's Mechanical Engineering offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $61,977 to $87,851 shows 42% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About University of Nevada-Reno

A 85% acceptance rate means University of Nevada-Reno is accessible to most applicants, with a mid-sized student body of 15,723 in Reno, NV.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Nevada-Reno →

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 Nevada-Reno

Frequently Asked Questions

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