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Mechanical Engineering at The Catholic University of America

Washington, DC · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
60 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
62
Optimistic
60
Base Case
57
Pessimistic
Earnings $76,409/yr (8% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)
Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)
ROI 3.7x earnings multiple
Ranked #245 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 $860K $820K $703K
Earnings Multiple 3.9x 3.7x 3.1x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 71% 50%
DegreeOutlook Score 62 60 57

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$223,336
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$131,192
41% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
4.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$92,376
21% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $76,409/yr, edging above the $70,527 national average for Mechanical Engineering — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

At 3.7x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.

The 18% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Mechanical Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $27,000 in median debt against $76,409 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

A #245 ranking among 320 Mechanical Engineering programs places The Catholic University of America in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 21% earnings increase from $76,409 to $92,376 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About The Catholic University of America

The Catholic University of America has a 84% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a smaller institution with 3,063 students in Washington, DC. After financial aid, the average student pays $131,192 over four years — 41% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at The Catholic University of America →

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 The Catholic University of America

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($81,044) Civil Engineering ($77,501) Accounting and Related Services ($69,915) Finance and Financial Management Services ($64,618) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($57,490) Marketing ($52,392) Political Science and Government ($44,617) Architecture ($44,615)

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 60/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Mechanical Engineering at The Catholic University of America?
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 The Catholic University of America?
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 →