Mechanical Engineeringat Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Graduates earn $83,957/yr in their first year — about 19.0% above the national Mechanical Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $935K; scenarios range from $784K to $989K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at MIT
Your journey through MIT Mechanical Engineering places you at a significant advantage, not just due to the program's global reputation but also the intense demand for its graduates. The Cambridge and greater Boston region is a dynamic hub for advanced manufacturing, robotics, aerospace, and biotech, creating a robust local market where employers actively recruit top-tier engineering talent directly from campus. You'll find yourself highly sought after by leading firms and innovative startups, often securing roles that lead to rapid career progression and significant impact.
While the "Very High" AI risk rating might seem concerning, it primarily reflects the evolving nature of the field. MIT's program uniquely prepares you to be at the forefront of developing AI-driven solutions and managing teams that leverage these technologies, rather than being displaced by them. Focus on cultivating interdisciplinary skills, leadership, and a deep understanding of human-AI interaction, ensuring you're a creator and leader in the next generation of engineering.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to MIT's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Mechanical Engineering
How MIT stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at MIT
Other highest-scoring programs offered at MIT, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Mechanical Engineering at MIT
How does Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Mechanical Engineering program score?
A score of 63/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Massachusetts Institute of Technology 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.
How affordable is Mechanical Engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology after financial aid?
Sticker price is $240,624, but the average net cost is $79,252 — a 67% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.