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Mechanical Engineering at Widener University

Chester, PA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
59 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
61
Optimistic
59
Base Case
57
Pessimistic
Earnings $65,515/yr (-7% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)
Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)
ROI 4.2x earnings multiple
Ranked #272 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 $952K $902K $761K
Earnings Multiple 4.4x 4.2x 3.5x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 71% 50%
DegreeOutlook Score 61 59 57

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$214,552
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$121,880
43% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
4.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$97,717
49% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Widener University's Mechanical Engineering program produces graduates earning $65,515/yr — within striking distance of the $70,527 national average for this field.

An earnings multiple of 4.2x 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 — $27,000 in median debt clears quickly against $65,515 in annual earnings.

Ranked #272 of 320 Mechanical Engineering programs, Widener University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $65,515 to $97,717 over five years — a 49% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Widener University

A 84% acceptance rate means Widener University is accessible to most applicants, a smaller institution with 2,765 students in Chester, PA. The average net cost of $121,880 over four years represents a 43% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Widener University →

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 Widener University

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($83,528) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($82,611) Chemical Engineering ($71,160) Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services ($70,817) Civil Engineering ($69,289) Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($68,762) Accounting and Related Services ($65,071) Finance and Financial Management Services ($62,672)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Mechanical Engineering at Widener University?
This program scores 59/100 — 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 $760,848 in decade earnings vs $951,605 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →