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Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians bachelor's degree outcomes at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus

Name: Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians Bachelor's Degree outcomes at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
Creator: U.S. Department of Education

University Park, PA · Public · Federal field 1508

Data scope

Federal records group outcomes by college, four-digit field and credential level. A record may cover several catalog programs or concentrations.

The short version

Reported earnings are close to the same-degree benchmark.

$2,731 below the national median for the same field and credential.

Debt pressure: 34.5% of annual earnings
Positive-payoff price ceiling: $40,855 / year
10-year scenario: +10% · Positive payoff
Price evidence: College-wide context only

PRICE SENSITIVITY

The price can change the verdict.

Hold observed earnings constant and see how the modeled ten-year payoff changes as annual price rises.

← Negative payoff$0Positive payoff →

$0Annual price+$163,420

$12,000Annual price+$115,420

$24,000Annual price+$67,420

$33,000Current college-wide context+$31,420

$36,000Annual price+$19,420

$48,000Annual price−$28,580

$60,000Annual price−$76,580

OUTCOME SIGNALS

Graduate outcomes from several angles.

Follow earnings over time and inspect the cohort behind each federal measure.

+22%Earnings growth, year 1 → 5$64,874 → $79,352

Not availableEarn above high-school thresholdGraduate count in the year-4 cohort

34Working in the college’s stateGraduate count in the year-4 cohort

51Year-5 earnings observationsCohort behind the year-5 median

60Borrowers representedCohort behind the debt median

$35,950Awarding-school debtDebt attributed to the college granting the credential

Not availableRecent awardsIPEDS 2023–24 first-major completions in this field and credential

NEW FEDERAL PROGRAM CONTEXT

Size, aid and an earnings floor.

The Department of Education’s 2026 informational preview adds current program participation and a preliminary earnings comparison. It does not make a final eligibility determination.

71Students receiving federal aid2024–25 Title IV enrollment

22Federal-aid completers2024–25 program completers

27Pell Grant recipients2024–25 program count

51Federal loan borrowers2024–25 unduplicated count

Preliminary federal earnings benchmark$35,274Informational preview, not a final accountability result

Observed year-4 earnings$79,342$44,068 above the preliminary benchmark

Additional borrowing reported for this category: 15 Parent PLUS borrowers.

Source: U.S. Department of Education PPD:2026 informational preview. Program categories use OPEID, four-digit field and credential level; federal-aid counts do not represent every enrolled student.

01 · PRICE CONTEXT$32,875

Institution-wide annual average net price, not this program’s price.

02 · BORROWING$27,334

Median federal debt across schools attended at this academic level.

03 · EARNINGS$79,342

Observed median earnings four full years after completion.

04 · REPAYMENT$290/mo

Estimated standard 10-year federal payment.

WHAT WILL IT COST?

Published college costs provide the starting point.

Your exact offering, aid, residency and time to finish determine the price you actually pay.

Enter my price →

AVERAGE NET PRICE$32,875Institution-wide annual figure

COST OF ATTENDANCE$39,694Institution-wide annual budget

ADMISSION RATE60.6%Institution context

COMPLETION RATE86.1%Institution-wide completion rate

WHAT DO GRADUATES EARN?

Reported earnings after completion.

Each point may represent a different federal cohort. A missing bar means the figure was unavailable or suppressed.

$64,874Year 1

$79,342Year 4

$79,352Year 5

CAN THE EARNINGS SUPPORT THE DEBT?

4.4% of gross monthly earnings

Estimated monthly payment divided by observed gross monthly earnings. This excludes taxes, other debts and income-driven repayment.

Gross monthly earnings$6,612

Estimated loan payment$290

60borrowers represented where reported

HOW DOES IT COMPARE?

$79,342 vs. $82,073

$2,731 below the national median for the same field and credential.

Same-field national median

WHAT WORK CAN IT LEAD TO?

Related occupations, wages and outlook.

Official CIP–SOC links show careers the curriculum may prepare students for, not observed jobs held by this school’s graduates. BLS wages describe everyone working in an occupation.

BLS May 2025 wage estimates and 2025–35 employment projections.

Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians$70,820 median wagePA estimate · 1,620 jobs · 17-3027+1.3% projected U.S. growth · 3.1k openings/yrTypical entry: Associate's degreeMechanical Drafters$63,480 median wagePA estimate · 2,330 jobs · 17-3013-6.0% projected U.S. growth · 2.9k openings/yrTypical entry: Associate's degreeEngineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other$68,930 median wagePA estimate · 1,610 jobs · 17-3029+2.8% projected U.S. growth · 5.4k openings/yrTypical entry: Associate's degreeAutomotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$49,800 median wagePA estimate · 29,400 jobs · 49-3023+5.0% projected U.S. growth · 66.2k openings/yrTypical entry: Postsecondary nondegree awardElectro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians$74,710 median wagePA estimate · 650 jobs · 17-3024+2.6% projected U.S. growth · 1.4k openings/yrTypical entry: Associate's degreeAerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians$60,770 median wagePA estimate · 80 jobs · 17-3021+11.9% projected U.S. growth · 1.1k openings/yrTypical entry: Associate's degreeMotorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians$51,520 median wagePA estimate · 400 jobs · 49-3051+4.9% projected U.S. growth · 2.6k openings/yrTypical entry: High school diploma or equivalent

Possible alternatives