Mechanical Engineering at California Baptist University

Riverside, CA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
62 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
63
Optimistic
62
Base Case
59
Pessimistic
Earnings $72,224/yr (2% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)
Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)
ROI 5.2x earnings multiple
Ranked #221 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 $875K $834K $712K
Earnings Multiple 5.5x 5.2x 4.5x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 71% 50%
DegreeOutlook Score 63 62 59

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$158,880
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$109,536
31% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
4.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$92,844
29% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

California Baptist University's Mechanical Engineering program produces graduates earning $72,224/yr — within striking distance of the $70,527 national average for this field.

At 5.2x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 53% task exposure — and the 19% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $27,000 in median debt clears quickly against $72,224 in annual earnings.

At #221 out of 320 programs, California Baptist University's financial outcomes for Mechanical Engineering trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $72,224 to $92,844 shows 29% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About California Baptist University

A 74% acceptance rate means California Baptist University is accessible to most applicants, with a mid-sized student body of 7,914 in Riverside, CA. 41% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity. After financial aid, the average student pays $109,536 over four years — 31% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at California Baptist 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

Mechanical Engineering at Other Schools

Other Majors at California Baptist University

Frequently Asked Questions

How does California Baptist University's Mechanical Engineering program score?
A score of 62/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but California Baptist University trails the majority of Mechanical Engineering programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
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 →