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Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University Northwest

Hammond, IN · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $68,632/yr (-3% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)

Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)

ROI 24.0x earnings multiple (12.9x out-of-state)

Ranked #66 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	$847K	$809K	$695K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	25.2x	24.0x	20.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	13.6x	12.9x	11.1x
Probability of Field Employment	80%	71%	50%
DegreeOutlook Score	75	74	71

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$33,676

Out-of-state: $62,480 (12.9x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$33,852

-1% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$22,352

3.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$89,239

30% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Purdue University Northwest's Mechanical Engineering program produces graduates earning $68,632/yr — within striking distance of the $70,527 national average for this field.

The 24.0x 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 18% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $22,352 in median debt clears quickly against $68,632 in annual earnings.

Ranked #66 out of 320 programs, Purdue University Northwest's Mechanical Engineering program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $68,632 to $89,239 shows 30% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Purdue University Northwest

A 71% acceptance rate means Purdue University Northwest is accessible to most applicants, with a mid-sized student body of 5,786 in Hammond, IN.

See all programs and financial aid at Purdue University Northwest →

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

How does Purdue University Northwest's Mechanical Engineering program score?

A score of 74/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Purdue University Northwest'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 Purdue University Northwest rank so high for Mechanical Engineering?

The #66 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 →