Mechanical Engineering at University of Alabama at Birmingham

UAB's mechanical engineering graduates start significantly behind their peers, earning $58,191 in their first year—roughly $12,500 below the Alabama median and in just the 25th percentile statewide. Among the seven mechanical engineering programs in Alabama, UAB trails schools like Tuskegee, Alabama, and Auburn by substantial margins. First-year earnings also lag the national median by over $12,000, placing this program in the bottom 5% nationally.

The silver lining is strong earnings growth: graduates see a 35% salary increase by year four, reaching $78,456. This suggests the program may prepare students well for career advancement, even if initial job placement is weaker. The debt load of $26,354 is manageable relative to first-year earnings (0.45 ratio), and students carry typical debt for this field both nationally and within Alabama.

For Alabama families considering mechanical engineering, UAB presents a puzzle. The program costs about the same as competitors but delivers notably lower starting salaries, which matters when you're beginning to pay down loans. If your child is already admitted to Alabama, Auburn, or UAH—all of which show stronger first-year outcomes—those appear to be safer bets. UAB might work for students who need the accessibility of an 88% admission rate and don't have other in-state options, but the earnings gap at graduation is real and significant.