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Engineering at McNeese State University

Lake Charles, LA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Engineering, General

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $75,566/yr (9% vs median)

AI Risk High (46% exposed)

Job Market Medium (27,900 openings/yr)

ROI 24.9x earnings multiple (21.1x out-of-state)

Ranked #2 of 47 Engineering, General programs Top 5%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Engineering graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$874K	$841K	$729K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	25.8x	24.9x	21.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	21.9x	21.1x	18.3x
Probability of Field Employment	69%	63%	47%
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)

$33,840

Out-of-state: $39,840 (21.1x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$45,028

-33% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$25,554

4.1 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$99,434

32% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $75,566/yr, edging above the $69,222 national average for Engineering — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 24.9x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Engineering programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Engineering's typical career paths, with 46% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 17% gap from the optimistic case.

At $25,554 in median debt against $75,566 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #2 of 47 nationally, this is a top-5% Engineering program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $75,566 to $99,434 over five years — a 32% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About McNeese State University

With a 68% acceptance rate, McNeese State University is moderately selective, a smaller institution with 4,846 students in Lake Charles, LA.

See all programs and financial aid at McNeese State University →

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr

Engineers, all other $117,750/yr

Engineering teachers, postsecondary $106,120/yr

View all 3 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Engineering at Other Schools

Other Majors at McNeese State University

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Engineering at McNeese State University?

This program scores 72/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Engineering nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.

Will AI replace Engineering careers?

With 46% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $729,285 in decade earnings vs $874,354 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes McNeese State University's Engineering program stand out?

Ranked #2 of 47 programs nationally, McNeese State University lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.

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