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Mechanical Engineering at Northwestern University

Evanston, IL · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
61 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
62
Optimistic
61
Base Case
58
Pessimistic
Earnings $75,253/yr (7% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)
Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)
ROI 3.5x earnings multiple
Ranked #233 of 320 Mechanical Engineering programs

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 $987K $933K $783K
Earnings Multiple 3.7x 3.5x 3.0x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 71% 50%
DegreeOutlook Score 62 61 58

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$263,988
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$108,572
59% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,942
2.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$104,154
38% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Northwestern University's Mechanical Engineering graduates start at $75,253/yr — above the $70,527 national average, though not by a wide margin.

At 3.5x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.

The 21% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Mechanical Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $13,942 in median debt clears quickly against $75,253 in annual earnings.

A #233 ranking among 320 Mechanical Engineering programs places Northwestern University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 38% earnings increase from $75,253 to $104,154 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Northwestern University

Only 7% of applicants gain admission to Northwestern University, reflecting elite selectivity, enrolling 8,960 students in Evanston, IL. The average net cost of $108,572 over four years represents a 59% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Northwestern 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 Northwestern University

Information Science/Studies ($102,998) Computer Science ($99,981) Applied Mathematics ($94,684) Industrial Engineering ($89,811) Economics ($84,932) Human Resources Management and Services ($82,255) Chemical Engineering ($80,709) Mathematics ($79,530)

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 61/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Mechanical Engineering at Northwestern University?
At 61/100, the score looks reasonable — but Mechanical Engineering is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Should I worry about AI if I study Mechanical Engineering at Northwestern University?
The 53% 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.
What do students actually pay for Mechanical Engineering at Northwestern University?
The 59% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $263,988. At a net cost of $108,572, the earnings multiple improves substantially.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →