Mechanical Engineering at Wright State University-Main Campus

Dayton, OH · Public · Bachelor's Degree
71 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
72
Optimistic
71
Base Case
68
Pessimistic
Earnings $66,331/yr (-6% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)
Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)
ROI 17.1x earnings multiple (9.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #153 of 320 Mechanical Engineering programs Top 50%

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 $797K $764K $663K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 17.8x 17.1x 14.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 9.7x 9.3x 8.0x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 71% 50%
DegreeOutlook Score 72 71 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)
$44,752
Out-of-state: $82,424 (9.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$60,864
-36% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,772
4.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$83,880
26% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $66,331/yr, Mechanical Engineering graduates from Wright State University-Main Campus land near the $70,527 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

With a 17.1x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 17% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Mechanical Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

The median debt load of $22,772 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

A #153 ranking among 320 Mechanical Engineering programs places Wright State University-Main Campus in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 26% earnings increase from $66,331 to $83,880 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Wright State University-Main Campus

With 95% of applicants admitted, Wright State University-Main Campus prioritizes broad access, with a mid-sized student body of 6,330 in Dayton, OH.

See all programs and financial aid at Wright State University-Main Campus →

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 71/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Mechanical Engineering at Wright State University-Main Campus?
At 71/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Should I worry about AI if I study Mechanical Engineering at Wright State University-Main Campus?
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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →