Mechanical Engineering
Bachelor's degree · Southern Illinois University-Carbondale · Carbondale, IL
How this program compares
Graduates of the bachelor's degree program in Mechanical Engineering at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale earn a median of $69,454 one year after completing the program. Nationally, bachelor's degree graduates in this field earn a median of $92,135 four years after graduating (middle half: $77,715–$109,121). Median debt is $19,500, about 28% of first-year earnings – a manageable level by common guidelines.
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's degree) at other Illinois schools
| College | Earnings (1 yr) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign | $80,187 | $20,193 |
| Northwestern University Evanston | $75,253 | $13,942 |
| Bradley University Peoria | $71,746 | $27,000 |
| University of Illinois Chicago Chicago | $69,871 | $20,146 |
| Northern Illinois University Dekalb | $68,069 | $23,125 |
| Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Edwardsville | $66,546 | $21,774 |
| Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago | $65,386 | $25,000 |
Other programs at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
- Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment ProfessionsMaster's degree
$108,648 - Fire ProtectionBachelor's degree
$104,017 - Industrial Production Technologies/TechniciansBachelor's degree
$73,283 - Business Administration, Management and OperationsMaster's degree
$73,272 - Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/TechniciansBachelor's degree
$72,495 - Computer ScienceBachelor's degree
$70,053 - Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment ProfessionsBachelor's degree
$69,021 - Electrical, Electronics, and Communications EngineeringBachelor's degree
$68,670 - Civil EngineeringBachelor's degree
$65,269 - MedicineFirst professional degree
$63,528 - Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/TechniciansBachelor's degree
$62,503 - Accounting and Related ServicesMaster's degree
$62,368 - ArchitectureMaster's degree
$58,938 - Rehabilitation and Therapeutic ProfessionsMaster's degree
$58,719 - Business Administration, Management and OperationsBachelor's degree
$55,633 - Soil SciencesBachelor's degree
$55,076 - Accounting and Related ServicesBachelor's degree
$54,694 - LawFirst professional degree
$54,507 - Health and Medical Administrative ServicesMaster's degree
$54,290 - Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject AreasBachelor's degree
$54,215
Frequently asked questions
How much do Mechanical Engineering graduates from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale make?
The median salary is $69,454 one year after graduation and $88,465 after five years.
How much student debt do graduates have?
Graduates who borrowed federal loans owe a median of $19,500.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, June 2026 release (Field of Study data). Earnings are for graduates who received federal financial aid.