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Mechanical Engineering at Santa Clara University

Santa Clara, CA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
65 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
66
Optimistic
65
Base Case
61
Pessimistic
Earnings $81,865/yr (16% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)
Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)
ROI 4.4x earnings multiple
Ranked #204 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 $1,121K $1,053K $868K
Earnings Multiple 4.7x 4.4x 3.7x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 71% 50%
DegreeOutlook Score 66 65 61

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$236,964
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$203,836
14% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,000
2.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$118,350
45% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $81,865 per year, Mechanical Engineering graduates from Santa Clara University earn slightly above the $70,527 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

An earnings multiple of 4.4x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.

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 23% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $19,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #204 of 320 Mechanical Engineering programs, Santa Clara University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $81,865 to $118,350 over five years — a 45% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Santa Clara University

Santa Clara University accepts 44% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, serving 6,235 students in Santa Clara, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara University

Computer Engineering ($103,804) Management Information Systems and Services ($93,042) Mathematics and Computer Science ($91,851) Civil Engineering ($84,883) Finance and Financial Management Services ($79,929) Accounting and Related Services ($78,417) Economics ($76,606) Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($73,710)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Mechanical Engineering at Santa Clara University?
This program scores 65/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Mechanical Engineering programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
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 $868,043 in decade earnings vs $1,120,941 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →