Mechanical Engineeringat University of Pennsylvania
Graduates earn $66,876/yr in their first year — about 5.0% below the national Mechanical Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $1,099K; scenarios range from $901K to $1,173K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Pennsylvania
At an institution like Penn, your mechanical engineering degree opens doors far beyond traditional design and manufacturing roles. The slightly different earnings trajectory compared to the national average often reflects graduates pursuing a broader range of paths, including interdisciplinary research, management consulting, or even entrepreneurial ventures, where initial compensation might differ but long-term impact and growth potential are substantial. You'll benefit from robust recruiting pipelines into Philadelphia's diverse economy, from advanced manufacturing and robotics to healthcare innovation. The "very high" AI risk isn't about job elimination but transformation; mastering AI-driven design tools and automation will be key. To thrive, actively seek out interdisciplinary projects and specializations in areas like mechatronics or data science to leverage your unique Ivy League foundation.
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 Pennsylvania'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 Pennsylvania stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Pennsylvania
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Pennsylvania, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Mechanical Engineering at University of Pennsylvania
What does a 61/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Mechanical Engineering at University of Pennsylvania?
At 61/100, the score looks reasonable — but Mechanical Engineering is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Should I worry about AI if I study Mechanical Engineering at University of Pennsylvania?
The 53% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
What do students actually pay for Mechanical Engineering at University of Pennsylvania?
The 53% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $264,416. At a net cost of $124,916, the earnings multiple improves substantially.