Home Schools Michigan State University Engineering-Related Fields
Engineering Technology · Engineering-Related Fields Rank #4 of 31

Engineering-Related Fieldsat Michigan State University

Graduates earn $76,563/yr in their first year — about 10.0% above the national Engineering-Related Fields average. Base-case 10-year earnings $754K; scenarios range from $674K to $774K depending on AI disruption.

East Lansing, MI Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
71 STRONG
71
Optimistic
69
Pessimistic
Earnings
$76,563
1-year post-graduation
ROI
14.0x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$754K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
44% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Michigan State University

Michigan State's engineering programs consistently stand out due to deep-seated connections with Michigan's robust manufacturing and automotive industries. You'll find strong recruiting pipelines directly into companies like Ford, GM, Stellantis, and numerous tier-one suppliers, as well as opportunities in defense, energy, and general industrial sectors across the Midwest. The curriculum typically emphasizes practical, hands-on learning and a broad engineering foundation, preparing you not just for specialized technical roles but also for leadership positions in areas like project management or industrial production, which the career data reflects. While AI is transforming many engineering tasks, MSU's program likely equips you with the problem-solving and management skills crucial for overseeing these evolving technologies. To maximize your strong potential, actively pursue co-ops and internships early; these experiences are critical for securing top post-graduation roles.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$674K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score69/100
Earnings Multiple10.5x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$754K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score71/100
Earnings Multiple11.8x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$774K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score71/100
Earnings Multiple12.1x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Michigan State University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Engineering-Related Fields graduates typically work

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.

1
Architectural and engineering managers
+3.8% 10-yr growth · 14,500 openings/yr
$167,740/yr
Moderate
2
Industrial production managers
+1.9% 10-yr growth · 17,100 openings/yr
$121,440/yr
Moderate
3
Engineers, all other
+2.1% 10-yr growth · 9,300 openings/yr
$117,750/yr
Moderate
4
Engineering teachers, postsecondary
+8.1% 10-yr growth · 4,100 openings/yr
$106,120/yr
High
5
Facilities managers
+3.8% 10-yr growth · 13,200 openings/yr
$104,690/yr
Moderate
6
Industrial engineers
+11.0% 10-yr growth · 25,200 openings/yr
$101,140/yr
Moderate
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Engineering-Related Fields

How Michigan State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Stanford University
CA · Private nonprofit
68
DW Score
$101K
1-yr earn
5.8x
ROI
Stevens Institute of Technology
NJ · Private nonprofit
61
DW Score
$80K
1-yr earn
3.2x
ROI
Top score
Arizona State University Campus Immersion
AZ · Public
75
DW Score
$76K
1-yr earn
21.2x
ROI
University of Southern California
CA · Private nonprofit
48
DW Score
$73K
1-yr earn
1.7x
ROI
Missouri University of Science and Technology
MO · Public
70
DW Score
$73K
1-yr earn
14.8x
ROI
Also at Michigan State University

Other top programs at Michigan State University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Michigan State University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Engineering-Related Fields offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Engineering-Related Fields trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Engineering-Related Fields at Michigan State University

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Engineering-Related Fields at Michigan State University?

This program scores 71/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Engineering-Related Fields nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.

Will AI replace Engineering-Related Fields careers?

With 38% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $673,850 in decade earnings vs $774,152 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes Michigan State University's Engineering-Related Fields program stand out?

Ranked #4 of 31 programs nationally, Michigan State University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.