Mechanical Engineering at San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
76 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
77
Optimistic
76
Base Case
73
Pessimistic
Earnings $72,647/yr (3% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)
Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)
ROI 30.2x earnings multiple (11.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #9 of 320 Mechanical Engineering programs Top 5%

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 $946K $897K $757K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 31.9x 30.2x 25.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 12.3x 11.6x 9.8x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 71% 50%
DegreeOutlook Score 77 76 73

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$29,696
Out-of-state: $77,216 (11.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$51,528
-74% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,250
3.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$99,619
37% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $72,647 track close to the $70,527 national median for Mechanical Engineering programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 30.2x 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 20% gap from the optimistic case.

At $21,250 in median debt against $72,647 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #9 of 320 nationally, this is a top-5% Mechanical Engineering program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $72,647 to $99,619 over five years — a 37% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About San Francisco State University

San Francisco State University has a 96% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with 20,033 students enrolled in San Francisco, CA. 41% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at San Francisco 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Mechanical Engineering at San Francisco State University?
This program scores 76/100 — 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 $757,344 in decade earnings vs $946,072 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes San Francisco State University's Mechanical Engineering program stand out?
Ranked #9 of 320 programs nationally, San Francisco State University lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →