Mechanical Engineering at University of St Thomas

University of St. Thomas mechanical engineering graduates start about $2,300 below the national median at $68,440, placing this program in the 40th percentile among Minnesota's six mechanical engineering programs. While that initial gap might concern some families, the debt picture tells a more reassuring story: at $27,000, graduates carry roughly the national average debt—ranking in the just 5th percentile nationally for debt burden—which translates to a manageable 0.39 debt-to-earnings ratio. Four years out, earnings climb to $84,744, a solid 24% gain that demonstrates good career trajectory.

The context matters here. St. Thomas trails the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities by about $5,000 in first-year earnings, but it's competitive with other state schools like Minnesota State-Mankato and UMN-Duluth. For families weighing an 85% admission rate school against more selective engineering programs, the tradeoff is straightforward: slightly below-average starting salaries but reasonable debt and reliable earnings growth. The robust sample size of 100+ graduates adds confidence these numbers reflect actual program outcomes.

This program works for students who want a private-school engineering education without crushing debt and can accept starting salaries that sit near the Minnesota median rather than at the top. The fundamentals—manageable debt, steady career progression—are sound, even if it's not the highest-earning option in the state.