Electromechanical Engineering.
Data details: Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity, and summary are for this specific degree (6-digit CIP) from IPEDS. Salary, debt, and related financial outcomes are based on the degree category (4-digit CIP) from the College Scorecard API. ← Back to search
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Please use your own discretion when interpreting these results. For certain degrees, a limited number of institutions report to the government's College Scorecard API, which may cause the data to be skewed or less representative of national trends. Consider these figures as informative but not definitive, and consult additional sources or advisors for important decisions.
Debt to Income Ratio
Why Electromechanical Engineering. stands out: With a debt-to-income ratio of just 45.1%, graduates of this program typically enjoy manageable student loan payments compared to their first-year earnings. This low ratio means that, on average, students who complete Electromechanical Engineering. can expect to pay off their student debt faster and with less financial stress than most other fields. Programs with a DTI below 0.5 are considered excellent by financial experts, making this degree a smart investment for your future.
For example, with a median salary of $68694 and average student debt of $31000, the financial outlook for Electromechanical Engineering. graduates is especially strong in .
Key Insights
Electromechanical Engineering. is a program that attracts motivated students who want to make an impact. Starting pay for new grads is typically $68694, and with an average debt of $31000, the debt-to-income ratio comes in at 0.45—meaning you’ll have lots of flexibility after graduation.
This program sees about 47 graduates annually, so you’ll be joining a well-established network. A common next step is a career as a Mechanical Engineers, which is expected to see 9.0% growth. Whether you’re aiming for a high-paying job, a stable career, or a chance to make an impact, Electromechanical Engineering. is a great foundation. Remember, your journey is shaped by the opportunities you pursue—so get involved and stay curious!
Degree Overview
Electromechanical Engineering (CIP 14.4101) is the synergistic blend of mechanical engineering and electrical systems. While a mechanical engineer designs the structure and an electrical engineer designs the circuits, the electromechanical engineer ensures they work as a single, unified unit. This field is the backbone of robotics, electric vehicles, automated manufacturing, and smart appliances. It is a path for "bridge-builders" who want to understand how software-driven electrical signals translate into physical motion.
This field is ideal for "multidisciplinary tinkerers"—individuals who are equally comfortable with a soldering iron and a wrench and want to lead the development of the next generation of autonomous machines.
What Is an Electromechanical Engineering Degree?
A degree in this field focuses on the integration of power electronics, control systems, and mechanical design. You will study how to design "Mechatronic" systems—devices that use sensors to "feel" the environment, microprocessors to "think," and motors or actuators to "act." It is a rigorous STEM major that removes the traditional silos between engineering departments, preparing you to be a versatile problem-solver in a world where almost every machine is becoming "smart" and electric.
Schools offer this degree to:
- Train "Mechatronics Specialists" who design high-performance robots and drones
- Develop experts in Control Theory—the math used to keep a drone stable or a robotic arm precise
- Prepare professionals for Electric Vehicle (EV) Engineering, focusing on battery systems and motor drives
- Study Industrial Automation, using sensors and logic to run "dark factories" with minimal human intervention
What Will You Learn?
Students learn that the most efficient machines are designed from the start with electrical and mechanical components in mind, rather than bolting electronics onto an existing mechanical frame.
Core Skills You’ll Build
Most students learn to:
- Master Circuit Design and PCB Layout to power and control mechanical hardware
- Use "Control Systems Engineering" to write the algorithms that manage movement and balance
- Design Actuation Systems—selecting and integrating the right motors, gears, and pistons for a task
- Perform Signal Processing to clean up data from sensors like LIDAR, ultrasonic, and infrared
- Utilize Embedded Systems Programming (C++ or Python) to "brain" the machines you build
- Understand Thermal Management—ensuring that high-power electrical components don't overheat the mechanical structure
Topics You May Explore
Coursework is a balanced mix of two traditionally separate worlds:
- Dynamics and Vibrations: The physics of how physical objects move and shake.
- Power Electronics: The study of circuits that handle high voltages for motors and batteries.
- Microprocessors: Learning how to program the "chips" that control modern appliances and cars.
- Machine Design: The engineering of gears, bearings, and linkages to transmit force.
- Robotics: Integrating kinematics (motion) with vision systems and artificial intelligence.
- Instrumentation: The study of how to measure physical properties like pressure, speed, and heat digitally.
What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?
Graduates find roles as versatile engineers who can lead projects in any industry involving automated or powered movement.
Common job roles include:
- Electromechanical Engineer: Designing the integrated systems for medical devices or consumer tech.
- Robotics Engineer: Building and maintaining autonomous systems for warehouses or surgery.
- Automation Engineer: Designing the robotic lines that build cars and electronics.
- Control Systems Engineer: Writing the software that keeps complex machines running smoothly.
- EV Systems Engineer: Developing the drivetrains and battery management for electric cars.
- Field Service Engineer: Troubleshooting the world's most complex industrial and medical machinery.
Where Can You Work?
Electromechanical engineers are the "Swiss Army Knives" of the engineering world:
- Automotive and Aerospace: Working for Tesla, Rivian, SpaceX, or traditional firms like Boeing.
- Consumer Electronics: Designing for companies like Apple, Dyson, or iRobot.
- Medical Technology: Building robotic surgical tools for firms like Intuitive Surgical.
- Defense and Security: Developing unmanned ground vehicles and advanced drones.
- Manufacturing Tech: Creating the assembly robots for companies like Fanuc or ABB.
How Much Can You Earn?
Because of their broad skill set, electromechanical engineers are highly resilient to economic shifts and command high salaries.
- Electromechanical Engineers: Median annual salary of approximately $92,000–$118,000.
- Robotics/Automation Leads: Salaries typically range from $110,000 to $150,000+.
- Senior Systems Integrators: Median annual salary of around $120,000–$160,000.
- Entry-Level Junior Engineers: Often start between $75,000 and $90,000.
Is This Degree Hard?
The difficulty is in the breath of knowledge required. You cannot just be "good at math"; you must be good at the math of two different fields. You have to understand the Maxwell Equations of electromagnetism while also mastering the Newtonian Physics of mechanics. It requires a "systemic" mindset—you must be able to see how a small change in a piece of code could cause a physical gear to strip or a motor to burn out. It is a very hands-on, lab-intensive major.
Who Should Consider This Degree?
This degree may be a good fit if you:
- Love taking things apart to see how the "electronics move the metal"
- Are interested in Robotics and want to build things that actually move
- Enjoy both computer programming and physical building/machining
- Want a career that is "future-proof" as the world moves toward full automation
- Are a "systems thinker" who likes to see how different parts of a machine talk to each other
How to Prepare in High School
- Take the highest levels of Physics and Math (Calculus) available
- Learn basic electronics and coding (Arduino or Raspberry Pi projects are perfect)
- Join a FIRST Robotics or VEX team; this is the best simulation of the real job
- Get comfortable with 3D design (CAD) tools like Fusion 360 or Onshape
- Read about "Mechatronics" to see how the industry is merging different disciplines
The ability to seamlessly integrate electrical intelligence with mechanical power to create the autonomous systems of the future is the hallmark of a successful electromechanical engineering professional.
Personality Fit (RIASEC Profile)
Official assessment tool by the U.S. Department of Labor