Home › Oregon State University-Cascades Campus › Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical Engineering at Oregon State University-Cascades Campus

Bend, OR · Public · Bachelor's Degree
72 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
74
Optimistic
72
Base Case
70
Pessimistic
Earnings $68,686/yr (-3% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)
Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)
ROI 17.1x earnings multiple (6.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #141 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 $905K $860K $731K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 18.0x 17.1x 14.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.5x 6.2x 5.2x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 71% 50%
DegreeOutlook Score 74 72 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)
$50,376
Out-of-state: $139,776 (6.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$70,888
-41% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,168
4.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$94,649
38% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Oregon State University-Cascades Campus's Mechanical Engineering program produces graduates earning $68,686/yr — within striking distance of the $70,527 national average for this field.

With a 17.1x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 19% 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 — $23,168 in median debt clears quickly against $68,686 in annual earnings.

A #141 ranking among 320 Mechanical Engineering programs places Oregon State University-Cascades Campus in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 38% earnings increase from $68,686 to $94,649 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Oregon State University-Cascades Campus

Oregon State University-Cascades Campus's 68% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, a smaller institution with 1,054 students in Bend, OR.

See all programs and financial aid at Oregon State University-Cascades Campus →

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 Oregon State University-Cascades Campus

Computer Science ($85,376) Construction Engineering ($80,936) Industrial Engineering ($78,425) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($77,636) Manufacturing Engineering ($72,154) Chemical Engineering ($71,618) Engineering, Other ($71,549) Civil Engineering ($70,635)

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 72/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Mechanical Engineering at Oregon State University-Cascades Campus?
At 72/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Should I worry about AI if I study Mechanical Engineering at Oregon State University-Cascades Campus?
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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →