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Mechanical Engineering at Liberty University

Lynchburg, VA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
52 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
54
Optimistic
52
Base Case
50
Pessimistic
Earnings $65,794/yr (-7% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)
Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)
ROI 8.0x earnings multiple
Ranked #309 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 $701K $678K $602K
Earnings Multiple 8.3x 8.0x 7.1x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 71% 50%
DegreeOutlook Score 54 52 50

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$84,888
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$118,208
-39% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
4.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $65,794 track close to the $70,527 national median for Mechanical Engineering programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

A 8.0x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 14% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Mechanical Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $27,000 in median debt against $65,794 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

A #309 ranking among 320 Mechanical Engineering programs places Liberty University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

About Liberty University

Liberty University has a 99% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, one of the larger campuses at 50,059 students in Lynchburg, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at Liberty 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

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)

Other Majors at Liberty University

Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($76,127) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($71,918) Military Systems and Maintenance Technology ($66,126) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($56,258) Management Information Systems and Services ($56,014) Accounting and Related Services ($51,541) Air Transportation ($50,629) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($49,772)

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 52/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Mechanical Engineering at Liberty University?
At 52/100, the score looks reasonable — but Mechanical Engineering is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Should I worry about AI if I study Mechanical Engineering at Liberty University?
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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →