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Mechanical Engineering at University of New Orleans

New Orleans, LA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $68,968/yr (-2% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)

Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)

ROI 21.8x earnings multiple (14.3x out-of-state)

Ranked #84 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	$837K	$800K	$688K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	22.8x	21.8x	18.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	14.9x	14.3x	12.3x
Probability of Field Employment	80%	71%	50%
DegreeOutlook Score	75	73	71

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$36,688

Out-of-state: $56,032 (14.3x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$44,588

-22% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$13,375

2.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$88,371

28% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $68,968/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 21.8x 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 18% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $68,968 far exceeding the $13,375 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #84 of 320 Mechanical Engineering programs, University of New Orleans scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $68,968 to $88,371 over five years — a 28% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of New Orleans

A 67% admission rate makes University of New Orleans accessible to a wide range of qualified students, a compact campus enrolling 4,479 students in New Orleans, LA. 40% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at University of New Orleans →

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

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

This program scores 73/100 — 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 $688,370 in decade earnings vs $837,108 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

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