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Mechanical Engineering at University of Wisconsin-Madison

Madison, WI · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $74,611/yr (6% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)

Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)

ROI 19.5x earnings multiple (5.4x out-of-state)

Ranked #29 of 320 Mechanical Engineering programs Top 10%

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	$921K	$875K	$741K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	20.5x	19.5x	16.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.7x	5.4x	4.6x
Probability of Field Employment	80%	71%	50%
DegreeOutlook Score	76	75	72

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$44,820

Out-of-state: $162,412 (5.4x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$67,712

-51% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$19,450

3.1 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$97,845

31% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $74,611 at University of Wisconsin-Madison come in 6% above the national median of $70,527 for Mechanical Engineering programs.

The 19.5x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 53% task exposure — and the 19% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

With first-year pay of $74,611 far exceeding the $19,450 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #29 ranking out of 320 Mechanical Engineering programs nationally puts University of Wisconsin-Madison in the top 10% — a strong but not elite position.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $74,611 to $97,845 shows 31% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About University of Wisconsin-Madison

A 43% admission rate makes University of Wisconsin-Madison accessible to a wide range of qualified students, one of the larger campuses at 35,665 students in Madison, WI.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Wisconsin-Madison →

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 Wisconsin-Madison

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of Wisconsin-Madison's Mechanical Engineering program score?

A score of 75/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. University of Wisconsin-Madison's Mechanical Engineering graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.

How vulnerable is Mechanical Engineering to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Mechanical Engineering careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 53% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

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