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Mechanical Engineering at University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Charlotte, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $69,178/yr (-2% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)

Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)

ROI 26.7x earnings multiple (8.8x out-of-state)

Ranked #50 of 320 Mechanical Engineering programs Top 25%

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	$805K	$771K	$668K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	27.9x	26.7x	23.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	9.2x	8.8x	7.6x
Probability of Field Employment	80%	71%	50%
DegreeOutlook Score	75	74	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)

$28,856

Out-of-state: $87,504 (8.8x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$58,980

-104% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$26,811

4.7 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$85,296

23% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of North Carolina at Charlotte's Mechanical Engineering program produces graduates earning $69,178/yr — within striking distance of the $70,527 national average for this field.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 26.7x 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.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $26,811 in median debt clears quickly against $69,178 in annual earnings.

At #50 of 320 nationally, this is a top-5% Mechanical Engineering program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $69,178 to $85,296 over five years — a 23% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of North Carolina at Charlotte

A 80% acceptance rate means University of North Carolina at Charlotte is accessible to most applicants, with 23,567 students enrolled in Charlotte, NC.

See all programs and financial aid at University of North Carolina at Charlotte →

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 North Carolina at Charlotte

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Mechanical Engineering at University of North Carolina at Charlotte?

This program scores 74/100 — 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 $667,989 in decade earnings vs $804,911 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes University of North Carolina at Charlotte's Mechanical Engineering program stand out?

Ranked #50 of 320 programs nationally, University of North Carolina at Charlotte lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.

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