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Mechanical Engineering at Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $72,057/yr (2% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)

Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)

ROI 3.6x earnings multiple

Ranked #251 of 320 Mechanical Engineering programs

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	$966K	$915K	$770K
Earnings Multiple	3.8x	3.6x	3.1x
Probability of Field Employment	80%	71%	50%
DegreeOutlook Score	61	60	57

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$251,928

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$88,468

65% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$12,503

2.1 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$101,263

41% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Washington University in St Louis's Mechanical Engineering program produces graduates earning $72,057/yr — within striking distance of the $70,527 national average for this field.

An earnings multiple of 3.6x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.

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 20% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $12,503 in median debt clears quickly against $72,057 in annual earnings.

Ranked #251 of 320 Mechanical Engineering programs, Washington University in St Louis falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $72,057 to $101,263 over five years — a 41% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Washington University in St Louis

Only 12% of applicants gain admission to Washington University in St Louis, reflecting elite selectivity, enrolling 7,897 students in Saint Louis, MO. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $88,468 — 65% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Washington University in St Louis →

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 Washington University in St Louis

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Mechanical Engineering at Washington University in St Louis?

This program scores 60/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Mechanical Engineering programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.

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 $770,083 in decade earnings vs $966,193 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Is Washington University in St Louis a hidden gem for Mechanical Engineering?

After financial aid, the average student pays $88,468 over four years — 65% below the $251,928 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.

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