Mechanical Engineering Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Design, analysis, and manufacturing of mechanical systems and thermal devices.
Starting Salary
$72K
median
Mid-Career
$110K
salary
ROI Payback
3.5 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
2.5%
rate
Mechanical Engineering Overview
Design, analysis, and manufacturing of mechanical systems and thermal devices.
Category
Engineering
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Graduation Rate
65%
Enrollment Trend
stable
Online Available
Limited
Underemployment
10%
Lifetime Premium
$950K
Female Graduates
16%
Mechanical Engineering Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$21,600
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$21,600
after scholarships
ROI Payback
1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$928,400
Lifetime earnings premium ($950,000) minus net degree cost ($21,600)
Mechanical Engineering Salary Progression
Common Mechanical Engineering Careers
Mechanical Engineer
Design Engineer
Manufacturing Engineer
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for Mechanical Engineering
#1
MIT
#2
Stanford
#3
Georgia Tech
#4
University of Michigan
#5
Caltech
Related Majors
Mechanical Engineering Degree FAQ
Compare All College Majors
Analyze ROI, salary potential, and career outcomes for 121+ college majors.