Mechanical Engineering at San Diego State University

San Diego State's mechanical engineering program sits squarely in the middle of California's competitive engineering landscape—ranking at the 40th percentile among state programs—but delivers something many pricier alternatives don't: manageable debt paired with strong earnings growth. At roughly $20,000 in student loans, graduates borrow about the state median while earning $69,754 their first year and $91,140 by year four. That 31% earnings jump suggests graduates move into better-paying positions relatively quickly, though starting salaries trail schools like Cal Poly SLO and UC Berkeley by $13,000-$19,000.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.29 is the real selling point here. Graduates can realistically pay off loans within a few years while building their careers, unlike programs where debt loads require longer-term financial planning. Yes, this isn't the highest-earning mechanical engineering program in California—you're looking at roughly $20,000 less annually than Cal Maritime or Berkeley graduates make—but you're also not taking on significantly more debt for a marginal earnings difference.

For families prioritizing a solid return without excessive financial risk, SDSU delivers. The program serves a substantial number of Pell Grant students and maintains competitive outcomes without the debt burden that often accompanies private universities. If your student is weighing this against UC or private options, the decision hinges on whether that $10,000-$20,000 salary gap justifies potentially double the debt load.