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Mechanical Engineering at University of Wyoming

Laramie, WY · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $57,153/yr (-19% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)

Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)

ROI 26.7x earnings multiple (8.2x out-of-state)

Ranked #180 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	$771K	$741K	$647K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	27.8x	26.7x	23.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	8.5x	8.2x	7.1x
Probability of Field Employment	80%	71%	50%
DegreeOutlook Score	72	70	68

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$27,752

Out-of-state: $90,872 (8.2x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$47,116

-70% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$22,000

4.6 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$78,879

38% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $57,153 per year, Mechanical Engineering graduates from University of Wyoming earn below the $70,527 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The 26.7x 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 16% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The median debt load of $22,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #180 out of 320 programs, University of Wyoming's financial outcomes for Mechanical Engineering trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $57,153 to $78,879 shows 38% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About University of Wyoming

With 97% of applicants admitted, University of Wyoming prioritizes broad access, serving 8,047 students in Laramie, WY.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Wyoming →

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 Wyoming

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of Wyoming's Mechanical Engineering program score?

A score of 70/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but University of Wyoming trails the majority of Mechanical Engineering programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.

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.

Why are Mechanical Engineering earnings lower at University of Wyoming?

Lower starting pay at University of Wyoming may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.

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