Mechanical Engineering at Florida Institute of Technology

Florida Tech mechanical engineering graduates start at $69,533—nearly identical to the state median but slightly below the national average. What makes this interesting is the trajectory: earnings jump 22% to $84,606 by year four, suggesting the program's aerospace and defense industry connections in the Space Coast region pay off as graduates gain experience. Among Florida's 16 mechanical engineering programs, this ranks at the 60th percentile, putting it solidly in the middle tier behind UF and Embry-Riddle but ahead of many state schools.

The financial picture is notably strong. At $27,000 in median debt, graduates face just 0.39 times their first-year salary—well below typical engineering debt loads and in the 5th percentile nationally. This combination of manageable debt and solid career growth creates a workable path to financial stability, even if the program doesn't command the premium salaries of Florida's top engineering schools.

For parents, the calculus is straightforward: your child won't start with the highest salary in Florida, but they'll have reasonable debt and clear earnings growth. The 63% admission rate makes this more accessible than UF, and the lower debt burden compared to Florida's median ($20,888) means the somewhat modest starting salary doesn't translate into financial stress. If your child can get into UF's engineering program, that's probably the better value. If not, Florida Tech offers a solid middle-ground option without the debt risk that can plague private technical schools.