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Mechanical Engineering at University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, IN · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $84,999/yr (21% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)

Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)

ROI 3.3x earnings multiple

Ranked #234 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	$878K	$836K	$714K
Earnings Multiple	3.5x	3.3x	2.8x
Probability of Field Employment	80%	71%	50%
DegreeOutlook Score	62	61	57

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$250,772

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$111,292

56% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$18,910

2.7 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$95,893

13% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $84,999 per year, Mechanical Engineering graduates from University of Notre Dame earn slightly above the $70,527 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

An earnings multiple of 3.3x 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.

The median debt load of $18,910 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #234 of 320 Mechanical Engineering programs, University of Notre Dame falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $95,893 are relatively flat compared to the $84,999 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

About University of Notre Dame

With just 12% of applicants admitted, University of Notre Dame ranks among the nation's most selective schools, serving 8,923 students in Notre Dame, IN. The average net cost of $111,292 over four years represents a 56% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Notre Dame →

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 Notre Dame

Frequently Asked Questions

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

This program scores 61/100 — 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 $714,086 in decade earnings vs $877,735 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Is University of Notre Dame a hidden gem for Mechanical Engineering?

After financial aid, the average student pays $111,292 over four years — 56% below the $250,772 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.

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