Mechanical Engineeringat University of Idaho
Graduates earn $65,409/yr in their first year — about 7.0% below the national Mechanical Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $788K; scenarios range from $680K to $823K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Idaho
Graduates earn $65,409/yr, roughly in line with the $70,527 national median for Mechanical Engineering. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 22.3x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Mechanical Engineering programs nationally.
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 17% gap from the optimistic case.
With first-year pay of $65,409 far exceeding the $21,125 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
At #113 of 320 Mechanical Engineering programs, University of Idaho scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.
Earnings grow from $65,409 to $86,119 over five years — a 32% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Idaho's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering Mechanical Engineering
How University of Idaho stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Idaho
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Idaho, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Mechanical Engineering at University of Idaho
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Mechanical Engineering at University of Idaho?
This program scores 72/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Mechanical Engineering nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
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 $679,702 in decade earnings vs $823,416 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.