Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $68,173 track close to the $70,527 national median for Mechanical Engineering programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.
With a 16.5x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 16% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Mechanical Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
At $24,583 in median debt against $68,173 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.
A #178 ranking among 320 Mechanical Engineering programs places University of North Texas in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.
The limited growth from $68,173 to $81,391 over five years suggests earnings in this field plateau relatively early in one's career.