Mechanical Engineering at University of Cincinnati-Main Campus

Cincinnati, OH · Public · Bachelor's Degree
72 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
73
Optimistic
72
Base Case
69
Pessimistic
Earnings $72,412/yr (3% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)
Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)
ROI 15.0x earnings multiple (6.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #127 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 $855K $816K $700K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 15.8x 15.0x 12.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.0x 6.7x 5.7x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 71% 50%
DegreeOutlook Score 73 72 69

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$54,280
Out-of-state: $122,328 (6.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$92,624
-71% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,999
4.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$90,998
26% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $72,412/yr, Mechanical Engineering graduates from University of Cincinnati-Main Campus land near the $70,527 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The 15.0x 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 18% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The median debt load of $24,999 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #127 out of 320 programs, University of Cincinnati-Main Campus's Mechanical Engineering offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $72,412 to $90,998 shows 26% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About University of Cincinnati-Main Campus

With 88% of applicants admitted, University of Cincinnati-Main Campus prioritizes broad access, with 29,094 students enrolled in Cincinnati, OH.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Cincinnati-Main Campus →

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

How does University of Cincinnati-Main Campus's Mechanical Engineering program score?
A score of 72/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. University of Cincinnati-Main Campus'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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →