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Mechanical Engineering at University of California-Davis

Davis, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $75,231/yr (7% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)

Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)

ROI 14.6x earnings multiple (4.8x out-of-state)

Ranked #75 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	$941K	$892K	$754K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	15.4x	14.6x	12.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.1x	4.8x	4.1x
Probability of Field Employment	80%	71%	50%
DegreeOutlook Score	74	73	70

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$60,988

Out-of-state: $184,096 (4.8x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$61,152

-0% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$13,867

2.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$99,885

33% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $75,231 at University of California-Davis come in 7% above the national median of $70,527 for Mechanical Engineering programs.

The 14.6x 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 20% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

With first-year pay of $75,231 far exceeding the $13,867 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #75 out of 320 programs, University of California-Davis's Mechanical Engineering program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $75,231 to $99,885 shows 33% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About University of California-Davis

A 42% admission rate makes University of California-Davis accessible to a wide range of qualified students, serving a student body of 31,777 in Davis, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of California-Davis →

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

Other Majors at University of California-Davis

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of California-Davis's Mechanical Engineering program score?

A score of 73/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. University of California-Davis'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 University of California-Davis rank so high for Mechanical Engineering?

The #75 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 →