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Mechanical Engineering at Old Dominion University

Norfolk, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $71,774/yr (2% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)

Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)

ROI 16.8x earnings multiple (6.3x out-of-state)

Ranked #106 of 320 Mechanical Engineering programs Top 50%

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	$867K	$826K	$707K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	17.7x	16.8x	14.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	6.6x	6.3x	5.4x
Probability of Field Employment	80%	71%	50%
DegreeOutlook Score	74	73	70

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$49,048

Out-of-state: $130,648 (6.3x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$56,680

-16% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$25,000

4.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$91,945

28% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Old Dominion University's Mechanical Engineering program produces graduates earning $71,774/yr — within striking distance of the $70,527 national average for this field.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 16.8x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Mechanical Engineering programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Mechanical Engineering's typical career paths, with 53% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 18% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $25,000 in median debt clears quickly against $71,774 in annual earnings.

At #106 of 320 Mechanical Engineering programs, Old Dominion University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $71,774 to $91,945 over five years — a 28% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Old Dominion University

A 91% acceptance rate means Old Dominion University is accessible to most applicants, with a mid-sized student body of 17,521 in Norfolk, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at Old Dominion 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

Mechanical Engineering at Other Schools

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Mechanical Engineering at Old Dominion University?

This program scores 73/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Mechanical Engineering nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.

Will AI replace Mechanical Engineering careers?

With 53% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $707,184 in decade earnings vs $866,828 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →