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Mechanical Engineering at California State University-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $55,405/yr (-21% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)

Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)

ROI 33.4x earnings multiple (12.2x out-of-state)

Ranked #111 of 320 Mechanical Engineering programs Top 50%

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	$909K	$766K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	35.2x	33.4x	28.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	12.8x	12.2x	10.2x
Probability of Field Employment	80%	71%	50%
DegreeOutlook Score	73	72	70

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$27,252

Out-of-state: $74,792 (12.2x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$16,452

40% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$12,500

2.7 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$94,122

70% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $55,405 place California State University-Los Angeles below the $70,527 national median for Mechanical Engineering — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

With a 33.4x 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.

With first-year pay of $55,405 far exceeding the $12,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #111 ranking among 320 Mechanical Engineering programs places California State University-Los Angeles in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The $55,405-to-$94,122 earnings arc over five years reflects a 70% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About California State University-Los Angeles

California State University-Los Angeles accepts 92% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with 21,478 students enrolled in Los Angeles, CA. With 66% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum. After financial aid, the average student pays $16,452 over four years — 40% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University-Los Angeles →

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 72/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Mechanical Engineering at California State University-Los Angeles?

At 72/100, 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 University-Los Angeles?

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 University-Los Angeles a good choice for Mechanical Engineering despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If California State University-Los Angeles's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.

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