Engineering, General at Messiah University

Mechanicsburg, PA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
52 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
53
Optimistic
52
Base Case
50
Pessimistic
Earnings $64,871/yr (-6% vs median)
AI Risk High (46% exposed)
Job Market Medium (27,900 openings/yr)
ROI 4.1x earnings multiple
Ranked #36 of 47 Engineering, General programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $680K $664K $596K
Earnings Multiple 4.2x 4.1x 3.7x
Probability of Field Employment 69% 63% 47%
DegreeOutlook Score 53 52 50

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$162,560
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$110,744
32% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,750
4.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$74,795
15% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $64,871/yr, Engineering, General graduates from Messiah University land near the $69,222 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

An earnings multiple of 4.1x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.

Some AI exposure exists in Engineering, General's typical career paths, with 46% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 12% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $24,750 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #36 of 47 Engineering, General programs, Messiah University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $74,795 are relatively flat compared to the $64,871 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

About Messiah University

With 78% of applicants admitted, Messiah University prioritizes broad access, with a smaller student body of 2,318 in Mechanicsburg, PA. The average net cost of $110,744 over four years represents a 32% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Messiah 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, General at Other Schools

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Engineering, General at Messiah University?
This program scores 52/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Engineering, General programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Will AI replace Engineering, General careers?
With 46% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $596,431 in decade earnings vs $679,716 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →