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Engineering-Related Fields at Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $67,992/yr (-2% vs median)

AI Risk High (38% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (111,400 openings/yr)

ROI 11.6x earnings multiple (9.3x out-of-state)

Ranked #9 of 31 Engineering-Related Fields programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Engineering-Related Fields graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$727K	$710K	$639K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	11.9x	11.6x	10.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	9.5x	9.3x	8.4x
Probability of Field Employment	55%	52%	41%
DegreeOutlook Score	69	68	66

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$61,192

Out-of-state: $76,392 (9.3x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$74,804

-22% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$27,000

4.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$87,289

28% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Western Michigan University's Engineering-Related Fields program produces graduates earning $67,992/yr — within striking distance of the $69,301 national average for this field.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.6x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Engineering-Related Fields programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Engineering-Related Fields's typical career paths, with 38% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 12% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $27,000 in median debt clears quickly against $67,992 in annual earnings.

At #9 of 31 Engineering-Related Fields programs, Western Michigan University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $67,992 to $87,289 over five years — a 28% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Western Michigan University

A 85% acceptance rate means Western Michigan University is accessible to most applicants, with a mid-sized student body of 12,704 in Kalamazoo, MI.

See all programs and financial aid at Western Michigan University →

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr

Industrial production managers $121,440/yr

Engineers, all other $117,750/yr

View all 10 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Engineering-Related Fields at Other Schools

Other Majors at Western Michigan University

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Engineering-Related Fields at Western Michigan University?

A score of 68/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Engineering-Related Fields field.

Will AI replace Engineering-Related Fields careers?

With 38% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $638,830 in decade earnings vs $726,706 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

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