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Mechanical Engineering at University of California-Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $81,108/yr (15% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)

Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)

ROI 14.8x earnings multiple (4.8x out-of-state)

Ranked #34 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	$933K	$885K	$749K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	15.6x	14.8x	12.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.1x	4.8x	4.1x
Probability of Field Employment	80%	71%	50%
DegreeOutlook Score	75	74	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)

$59,860

Out-of-state: $182,968 (4.8x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$55,300

8% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$15,000

2.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$100,669

24% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $81,108 per year, Mechanical Engineering graduates from University of California-Santa Barbara earn slightly above the $70,527 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

With a 14.8x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 20% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Mechanical Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

The median debt load of $15,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

University of California-Santa Barbara ranks #34 among 320 Mechanical Engineering programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

A 24% earnings increase from $81,108 to $100,669 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About University of California-Santa Barbara

A 28% acceptance rate puts University of California-Santa Barbara in competitive admissions territory, serving a student body of 23,205 in Santa Barbara, CA.

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

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-Santa Barbara

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 74/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Mechanical Engineering at University of California-Santa Barbara?

At 74/100, 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-Santa Barbara?

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.

Is University of California-Santa Barbara one of the best schools for Mechanical Engineering?

Among 320 Mechanical Engineering programs, University of California-Santa Barbara's #34 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →