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Engineering Technology · Mechanical Engineering Technology Rank #45 of 59

Mechanical Engineering Technologyat University of Dayton

Graduates earn $66,055/yr in their first year — about 6.0% above the national Mechanical Engineering Technology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $702K; scenarios range from $648K to $715K depending on AI disruption.

Dayton, OH Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
56 SOLID
57
Optimistic
56
Pessimistic
Earnings
$66,055
1-year post-graduation
ROI
3.5x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$702K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Moderate
32% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Dayton

First-year earnings of $66,055 at University of Dayton come in 6% above the national median of $62,227 for Mechanical Engineering Technology programs.

The 3.7x return on tuition is positive but not overwhelming. Financial outcomes depend on keeping costs close to in-state rates.

AI risk is moderate — 28% task exposure — and the 9% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

With first-year pay of $66,055 far exceeding the $27,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #45 out of 59 programs, University of Dayton's financial outcomes for Mechanical Engineering Technology trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $66,055 to $85,129 shows 29% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$648K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score56/100
Earnings Multiple3.4x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$702K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score56/100
Earnings Multiple3.7x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$715K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score57/100
Earnings Multiple3.8x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Dayton's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Mechanical Engineering Technology graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians
+8.1% 10-yr growth · 900 openings/yr
$79,830/yr
Moderate
2
Engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, all other
+1.5% 10-yr growth · 5,700 openings/yr
$77,390/yr
Low
3
Electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians
+1.1% 10-yr growth · 1,300 openings/yr
$70,760/yr
Moderate
4
Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians
0.0% 10-yr growth · 3,200 openings/yr
$68,730/yr
Low
5
Mechanical drafters
-6.5% 10-yr growth · 3,300 openings/yr
$68,510/yr
High
6
Motorboat mechanics and service technicians
+6.0% 10-yr growth · 2,600 openings/yr
$54,950/yr
Low
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Mechanical Engineering Technology

How University of Dayton stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
California State University Maritime Academy
CA · Public
66
DW Score
$99K
1-yr earn
31.1x
ROI
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
FL · Private nonprofit
53
DW Score
$93K
1-yr earn
4.5x
ROI
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide
FL · Private nonprofit
64
DW Score
$93K
1-yr earn
19.0x
ROI
Central Connecticut State University
CT · Public
70
DW Score
$74K
1-yr earn
16.6x
ROI
Top score
Metropolitan State University of Denver
CO · Public
72
DW Score
$72K
1-yr earn
19.8x
ROI
Also at University of Dayton

Other top programs at University of Dayton

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Dayton, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Mechanical Engineering Technology offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Mechanical Engineering Technology trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Mechanical Engineering Technology at University of Dayton

How does University of Dayton's Mechanical Engineering Technology program score?

A score of 56/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but University of Dayton trails the majority of Mechanical Engineering Technology programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.