Mechanical Engineering at North Carolina A & T State University

North Carolina A&T delivers solid mechanical engineering outcomes that beat most competitors in the state, despite serving a predominantly working-class student body. At $72,278 in first-year earnings, graduates here out-earn the typical North Carolina mechanical engineering grad by about $1,500 and rank in the 60th percentile both statewide and nationally—a meaningful achievement given that 51% of students receive Pell grants. The debt load of $29,822 translates to a 0.41 debt-to-earnings ratio, which is manageable for an engineering salary and sits in just the 5th percentile nationally for debt burden.

The earnings trajectory shows healthy progression, climbing 11% to $80,018 by year four. Only Duke produces significantly higher earners among North Carolina's five mechanical engineering programs, and Duke comes with substantially higher costs and selectivity. A&T's outcomes essentially match NC State and UNC Charlotte—schools often considered more prestigious—while maintaining reasonable debt levels.

For families concerned about both affordability and career outcomes, this represents a strong value proposition. Your child would graduate with below-average debt for the field while earning above the state median, positioning them well for the financial stability engineering degrees typically provide.