Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University-College Station

Texas A&M's mechanical engineering program punches well above its 63% admission rate, landing graduates in the 93rd percentile nationally with $77,785 starting salaries. While it trails Rice and UT Austin in Texas, sitting at the 60th percentile statewide, it's competing against much more selective schools—and notably outpacing the typical Texas mechanical engineering grad by more than $11,000 annually. The $19,500 median debt is lower than both state and national averages, producing a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.25 that gives graduates substantial financial breathing room from day one.

The steady earnings trajectory to $86,346 by year four reflects the program's strong industry connections and the value employers place on Aggie engineers. What makes this particularly compelling is the combination: you're getting near-elite outcomes without needing a near-elite admission profile. Your child won't be crushed by debt while they establish themselves in a well-paying career.

For families balancing cost and career prospects, this represents exactly what a flagship state university should deliver—reliably strong engineering outcomes at manageable debt levels. The numbers suggest your investment will work out just fine.