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Mechanical Engineering at University of Denver

Denver, CO · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $65,014/yr (-8% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)

Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)

ROI 3.6x earnings multiple

Ranked #295 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	$893K	$849K	$724K
Earnings Multiple	3.8x	3.6x	3.0x
Probability of Field Employment	80%	71%	50%
DegreeOutlook Score	59	57	55

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$237,360

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$144,148

39% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$26,248

4.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$92,358

42% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $65,014/yr, roughly in line with the $70,527 national median for Mechanical Engineering. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

An earnings multiple of 3.6x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.

Some AI exposure exists in Mechanical Engineering's typical career paths, with 53% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 19% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $65,014 far exceeding the $26,248 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #295 of 320 Mechanical Engineering programs, University of Denver falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $65,014 to $92,358 over five years — a 42% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of Denver

University of Denver accepts 71% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 6,059 in Denver, CO. After financial aid, the average student pays $144,148 over four years — 39% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Denver →

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 Denver

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Mechanical Engineering at University of Denver?

This program scores 57/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Mechanical Engineering programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.

Will AI replace Mechanical Engineering careers?

With 53% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $723,554 in decade earnings vs $892,691 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

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