Mechanical Engineering at Case Western Reserve University

Cleveland, OH · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
59 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
60
Optimistic
59
Base Case
55
Pessimistic
Earnings $76,736/yr (9% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)
Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)
ROI 3.2x earnings multiple
Ranked #270 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 $857K $818K $701K
Earnings Multiple 3.3x 3.2x 2.7x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 71% 50%
DegreeOutlook Score 60 59 55

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$258,684
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$155,636
40% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,855
3.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$92,158
20% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $76,736 per year, Mechanical Engineering graduates from Case Western Reserve University earn slightly above the $70,527 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

The 3.2x return on tuition is positive but not overwhelming. Financial outcomes depend on keeping costs close to in-state rates.

AI risk is moderate — 53% task exposure — and the 18% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The median debt load of $24,855 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #270 out of 320 programs, Case Western Reserve 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 $76,736 to $92,158 shows 20% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Case Western Reserve University

A 29% acceptance rate puts Case Western Reserve University in competitive admissions territory, enrolling 6,108 students in Cleveland, OH. After financial aid, the average student pays $155,636 over four years — 40% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Case Western Reserve 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 Case Western Reserve University

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Case Western Reserve University's Mechanical Engineering program score?
A score of 59/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Case Western Reserve 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 →