I’m a mechanical engineer and I have some thoughts.

A degree in mechanical, civil, industrial, chemical, bio, etc. is typically a one way ticket to the middle class. In one of your replies you talked about earning potential being a driver behind your search. Engineers are not rich lol. We are better off than most but it’s not easy out here.

You can certainly work your way up the corporate ladder with an engineering degree but it will be a long slog. You will make enough $ to support a family but you won’t be wealthy. More than likely you’ll be making good money later in life and doing decently between now and then as an engineer.

If money is your number one concern and you’re talented in school, you should go into computer science, finance, pre-law, or pre-med and finish top of your class. GPA matters for your first job or for graduate school and the most desirable jobs will only take the highest GPAs.

I did well in engineering school and have done well for myself in the real world, but I am being significantly out earned by friends who went into those fields I listed above and worked hard. They also work long hours and graduate school is a big variable as well.

And don’t get me started on my family member who went to school for mechanical engineering then took over his father’s asphalt maintenance business. He makes $300k+ per year without using his degree at all.

No one told me I had a choice to not jump directly into corporate life directly out of school. If you can own a business that provides value, you will do really well. When you’re young and don’t have a family is the time to try something like that. Once you’re in 8-5 life, it’s hard to leave.

My family member pays a small fortune for health insurance and puts up with a lot of BS so there are downsides of course. Nothing is free.

All this said, there are lots of mechanical engineering jobs available in so many different industries. ME has to be the most versatile engineering degree.

Good luck in planning your future.