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Mechanical Engineering at CUNY City College

New York, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $65,905/yr (-7% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)

Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)

ROI 29.2x earnings multiple (14.0x out-of-state)

Ranked #48 of 320 Mechanical Engineering programs Top 25%

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	$901K	$856K	$729K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	30.7x	29.2x	24.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	14.7x	14.0x	11.9x
Probability of Field Employment	80%	71%	50%
DegreeOutlook Score	75	74	72

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$29,360

Out-of-state: $61,160 (14.0x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$13,944

53% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$13,232

2.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$93,362

42% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $65,905 track close to the $70,527 national median for Mechanical Engineering programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

With a 29.2x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 19% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Mechanical Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $13,232 in median debt against $65,905 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

CUNY City College ranks #48 among 320 Mechanical Engineering programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

A 42% earnings increase from $65,905 to $93,362 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About CUNY City College

With a 58% acceptance rate, CUNY City College is moderately selective, enrolling 11,934 students in New York, NY. With 60% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum. After financial aid, the average student pays $13,944 over four years — 53% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at CUNY City College →

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 74/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Mechanical Engineering at CUNY City College?

At 74/100, 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 CUNY City College?

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 CUNY City College one of the best schools for Mechanical Engineering?

Among 320 Mechanical Engineering programs, CUNY City College's #48 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.

What do students actually pay for Mechanical Engineering at CUNY City College?

The 53% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $29,360. At a net cost of $13,944, the earnings multiple improves substantially.

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