Mechanical Engineering at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
Bachelor's degree graduates in mechanical engineering from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) earn a median of $86,929 one year after graduating and $106,750 after four years.
That is 15% above the national median of $75,796 for this degree. It ranks 15th of 334 colleges for first-year earnings in mechanical engineering (bachelor's degree). Median debt is $17,000, about 20% of one year's earnings — roughly $193 a month on a 10-year repayment plan.
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's degree) at Cal Poly vs. nationally
| Cal Poly | Typical college | |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings after 1 year | $86,929 | $75,796 |
| Earnings after 4 years | $106,750 | $91,192 |
| Median debt | $17,000 | $21,000 |
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Earnings are medians for graduates who received federal financial aid, measured by the U.S. Department of Education from tax records. Debt is the median federal loan balance at graduation.
Other bachelor's degree programs at Cal Poly
| Program | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $129,984 | $15,000 |
| Computer Engineering | $114,472 | $17,178 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | $95,254 | $20,315 |
| Construction Management | $91,503 | $18,399 |
| Industrial Engineering | $89,961 | $18,999 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | $88,269 | $19,333 |
| Agricultural Engineering | $85,019 | $25,000 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $84,426 | $19,500 |
| Architectural Engineering | $81,271 | $21,627 |
| Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering | $79,657 | $16,109 |
| Civil Engineering | $79,454 | $16,667 |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | $78,209 | — |
| Manufacturing Engineering | $77,750 | — |
| Materials Engineering | $77,737 | $18,500 |
| Statistics | $77,340 | $15,904 |
Cost, admission and graduation figures for the whole school: California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) overview. Compare what jobs pay in your field with the Salary Finder.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Cal Poly mechanical engineering graduates make?
Graduates with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo earn a median of $86,929 one year after graduation and $106,750 four years after.
How much debt do Cal Poly mechanical engineering graduates have?
The median federal student loan debt for this program is $17,000, about $193 a month over 10 years.