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Engineering · Engineering Rank #7 of 47

Engineeringat Michigan State University

Graduates earn $75,058/yr in their first year — about 8.0% above the national Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $821K; scenarios range from $714K to $852K depending on AI disruption.

East Lansing, MI Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
68 SOLID
69
Optimistic
65
Pessimistic
Earnings
$75,058
1-year post-graduation
ROI
14.1x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$821K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
51% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Michigan State University

Michigan State's strong performance in general engineering reflects its deep roots within a industrially robust state. This program likely provides a versatile foundational knowledge, highly valued by the diverse manufacturing, automotive, and related technology companies across Michigan and the broader Midwest. Your degree benefits from established recruiting pipelines with major regional employers, offering access to internships and full-time roles in areas like product development, process optimization, and systems integration.

While the "general" nature provides flexibility, the high AI risk rating for this field underscores the evolving landscape. This means your career won't be static, but rather will involve leveraging AI tools for design, analysis, and automation. To thrive, actively seek out practical experiences—internships, co-ops, and project-based learning—that allow you to specialize and master emerging technologies. This proactive approach will position you to lead, not just adapt to, these industry transformations.

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
$714K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score65/100
Earnings Multiple11.2x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$821K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score68/100
Earnings Multiple12.8x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$852K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score69/100
Earnings Multiple13.3x
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 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
Engineers, all other
+2.1% 10-yr growth · 9,300 openings/yr
$117,750/yr
Moderate
3
Engineering teachers, postsecondary
+8.1% 10-yr growth · 4,100 openings/yr
$106,120/yr
High
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

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

Highest earnings
Franklin W Olin College of Engineering
MA · Private nonprofit
63
DW Score
$109K
1-yr earn
4.0x
ROI
Harvey Mudd College
CA · Private nonprofit
62
DW Score
$92K
1-yr earn
3.7x
ROI
Brown University
RI · Private nonprofit
60
DW Score
$86K
1-yr earn
3.3x
ROI
Top score
University of California-Davis
CA · Public
72
DW Score
$83K
1-yr earn
19.5x
ROI
McNeese State University
LA · Public
72
DW Score
$76K
1-yr earn
28.4x
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 offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Engineering trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Engineering at Michigan State University

What does a 68/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Engineering at Michigan State University?

At 68/100, Michigan State University's Engineering program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.

Should I worry about AI if I study Engineering at Michigan State University?

The 46% 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.

Is Michigan State University one of the best schools for Engineering?

Among 47 Engineering programs, Michigan State University's #7 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.