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Mechanical Engineering at University of Dayton

Dayton, OH · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $71,911/yr (2% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)

Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)

ROI 4.4x earnings multiple

Ranked #238 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	$883K	$840K	$717K
Earnings Multiple	4.6x	4.4x	3.8x
Probability of Field Employment	80%	71%	50%
DegreeOutlook Score	62	61	58

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$190,400

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$124,944

34% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$23,758

4.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$93,487

30% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $71,911 track close to the $70,527 national median for Mechanical Engineering programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

At 4.4x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.

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.

At $23,758 in median debt against $71,911 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

A #238 ranking among 320 Mechanical Engineering programs places University of Dayton in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 30% earnings increase from $71,911 to $93,487 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About University of Dayton

With a 62% acceptance rate, University of Dayton is moderately selective, with a mid-sized student body of 8,099 in Dayton, OH. After financial aid, the average student pays $124,944 over four years — 34% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Dayton →

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 Dayton

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 61/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Mechanical Engineering at University of Dayton?

At 61/100, 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 University of Dayton?

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 →