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Mechanical Engineering at University of California-Riverside

Riverside, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $62,554/yr (-11% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)

Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)

ROI 15.3x earnings multiple (4.8x out-of-state)

Ranked #159 of 320 Mechanical Engineering programs Top 50%

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	$913K	$868K	$736K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	16.1x	15.3x	13.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.1x	4.8x	4.1x
Probability of Field Employment	80%	71%	50%
DegreeOutlook Score	71	70	68

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$56,680

Out-of-state: $179,788 (4.8x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$54,828

3% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$21,000

4.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$93,294

49% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $62,554/yr, roughly in line with the $70,527 national median for Mechanical Engineering. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

With a 15.3x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

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 $62,554 far exceeding the $21,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #159 ranking among 320 Mechanical Engineering programs places University of California-Riverside in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 49% earnings increase from $62,554 to $93,294 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About University of California-Riverside

A 63% admission rate makes University of California-Riverside accessible to a wide range of qualified students, serving a student body of 22,644 in Riverside, CA. Pell Grant recipients make up 47% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

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

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 70/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Mechanical Engineering at University of California-Riverside?

At 70/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.

Should I worry about AI if I study Mechanical Engineering at University of California-Riverside?

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 →