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Mechanical Engineering at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Pomona, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
76 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
78
Optimistic
76
Base Case
73
Pessimistic
Earnings $75,040/yr (6% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)
Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)
ROI 30.6x earnings multiple (11.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #5 of 320 Mechanical Engineering programs Top 5%

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 $960K $910K $766K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 32.3x 30.6x 25.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 12.4x 11.8x 9.9x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 71% 50%
DegreeOutlook Score 78 76 73

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$29,756
Out-of-state: $77,276 (11.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$46,320
-56% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,940
2.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$101,659
35% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona's Mechanical Engineering graduates start at $75,040/yr — above the $70,527 national average, though not by a wide margin.

With a 30.6x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 20% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Mechanical Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $16,940 in median debt clears quickly against $75,040 in annual earnings.

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona ranks #5 among 320 Mechanical Engineering programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

A 35% earnings increase from $75,040 to $101,659 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

A 74% acceptance rate means California State Polytechnic University-Pomona is accessible to most applicants, with 24,271 students enrolled in Pomona, CA. Pell Grant recipients make up 46% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona →

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)

Compare Mechanical Engineering

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs California State University Maritime Academy → California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs University of California-Berkeley →

Other Majors at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Construction Engineering Technologies ($87,960) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($80,827) Manufacturing Engineering ($79,549) Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering ($78,320) Civil Engineering ($75,758) Industrial Engineering ($75,110) Computer Engineering ($70,768) Chemical Engineering ($69,009)

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 76/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Mechanical Engineering at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona?
At 76/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Should I worry about AI if I study Mechanical Engineering at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona?
The 53% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is California State Polytechnic University-Pomona one of the best schools for Mechanical Engineering?
Among 320 Mechanical Engineering programs, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona's #5 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →