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Mechanical Engineering at Montana State University

Bozeman, MT · Public · Bachelor's Degree
74 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
75
Optimistic
74
Base Case
72
Pessimistic
Earnings $68,469/yr (-3% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)
Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)
ROI 25.9x earnings multiple (6.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #45 of 320 Mechanical Engineering programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $878K $837K $715K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 27.2x 25.9x 22.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.0x 6.7x 5.7x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 71% 50%
DegreeOutlook Score 75 74 72

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$32,332
Out-of-state: $125,348 (6.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$82,372
-155% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,980
4.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$92,132
35% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Montana State University's Mechanical Engineering program produces graduates earning $68,469/yr — within striking distance of the $70,527 national average for this field.

The 25.9x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 53% task exposure — and the 19% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $24,980 in median debt clears quickly against $68,469 in annual earnings.

Ranked #45 out of 320 programs, Montana State University's Mechanical Engineering program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $68,469 to $92,132 shows 35% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Montana State University

A 87% acceptance rate means Montana State University is accessible to most applicants, with a mid-sized student body of 14,472 in Bozeman, MT.

See all programs and financial aid at Montana State University →

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr
Aerospace engineers $134,830/yr
Engineering teachers, postsecondary $106,120/yr
View all 5 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 320 schools offering Mechanical Engineering →

Mechanical Engineering at Other Schools

California State University Maritime Academy ($92,315) Duke University ($89,938) University of California-Berkeley ($88,497) Franklin W Olin College of Engineering ($87,590) Cornell University ($85,440) Princeton University ($85,328) University of Notre Dame ($84,999) Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($83,957)

Other Majors at Montana State University

Construction Engineering Technologies ($77,139) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($77,060) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($71,915) Civil Engineering ($67,373) Computer Engineering ($67,015) Computer Science ($66,918) Industrial Engineering ($64,082) Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians ($62,605)

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Montana State University's Mechanical Engineering program score?
A score of 74/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Montana State University's Mechanical Engineering graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
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.
Why does Montana State University rank so high for Mechanical Engineering?
The #45 ranking out of 320 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →