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Mechanical Engineering at Southern Methodist University

Dallas, TX · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
60 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
61
Optimistic
60
Base Case
56
Pessimistic
Earnings $79,280/yr (12% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)
Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)
ROI 3.3x earnings multiple
Ranked #260 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 $881K $839K $716K
Earnings Multiple 3.4x 3.3x 2.8x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 71% 50%
DegreeOutlook Score 61 60 56

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$257,840
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$167,112
35% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,188
2.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$95,148
20% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $79,280 at Southern Methodist University come in 12% above the national median of $70,527 for Mechanical Engineering programs.

At 3.3x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.

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.

With first-year pay of $79,280 far exceeding the $16,188 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #260 ranking among 320 Mechanical Engineering programs places Southern Methodist University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 20% earnings increase from $79,280 to $95,148 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Southern Methodist University

A 61% admission rate makes Southern Methodist University accessible to a wide range of qualified students, enrolling 7,106 students in Dallas, TX. The average net cost of $167,112 over four years represents a 35% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Southern Methodist 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 Southern Methodist University

Computer Science ($93,679) Finance and Financial Management Services ($83,159) Statistics ($76,759) Mathematics ($74,516) Operations Research ($72,658) Economics ($71,630) Accounting and Related Services ($68,643) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($60,659)

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 60/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Mechanical Engineering at Southern Methodist University?
At 60/100, the score looks reasonable — but Mechanical Engineering is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Should I worry about AI if I study Mechanical Engineering at Southern Methodist University?
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 →