STEM Specialization

Mechatronics & Robotics

Mechatronics & Robotics graduates earn $101,649 four years out. The middle 50% of earners fall between $82,997 and $125,175. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and how far you advance in the field.

About Mechatronics & Robotics

This page covers Mechatronics & Robotics as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Engineering and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.

Mechatronics & Robotics is a focused area of study within Engineering. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $101,649 four years out, a strong return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 102 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 1,759 students complete it each year, most walking away with a master's. Coursework leans technical and quantitative, with lab or project work common.


Median Earnings · 1yr
$80,491
Median Earnings · 4yr
$101,649
Colleges Offering
102
Graduates / Year
1,759
Avg Net Price / yr
$21,005

How Much Do Mechatronics & Robotics Graduates Earn?

Four years after finishing Mechatronics & Robotics, a typical graduate earns $101,649, well above average for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $82,997 and $125,175, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Source: College Scorecard.

What that figure means in practice depends on what the degree cost to get, which is a matter of lifetime earnings against total outlay.

$80,491
1 Year After Graduation

Earnings grow steadily as you advance past entry-level roles. The four-year figure is a better long-term target.

$101,649
4-Year National Median

Well above average for college graduates.

$105,016
4-Year Institutional Median

Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.


Earnings Range

Not every Mechatronics & Robotics graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out widely, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. Sector is the biggest factor. Tech companies and finance firms tend to pay significantly more than government, education, or nonprofit employers in this field.


Why This Program Pays Off Fast

Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $101,649 against an estimated $84,020 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.

Based on outcomes from 40 schools. Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.

Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown

Of the 1,759 students who complete Mechatronics & Robotics programs each year, the majority (55%) earn a master's degree. The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.

Master's 55%
Bachelor's 31%
Doctorate 5%

What Can You Do With a Mechatronics & Robotics Degree?

This degree does not lock you into one job. Mechatronics & Robotics graduates show up in 2 different occupations, and Architectural & Engineering Manager pays the most at $171,270/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.

The best-paid of these is what an Architectural & Engineering Manager earns and how fast the role is growing, though entry requirements vary across the list.

↗ +5.5% Zone 5: Extensive preparation
$171,270
$139K $213K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 14,900 openings/yr 220K employed nationally
Reading Comprehension Complex Problem Solving Active Listening Writing Speaking
Day-to-day responsibilities

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as architecture and engineering or research and development in these fields.

  • Manage the coordination and overall integration of technical activities in architecture or engineering projects.
  • Direct, review, or approve project design changes.
  • Consult or negotiate with clients to prepare project specifications.
↗ +7.8% Zone 5: Extensive preparation
$109,270
$82K $151K 25th–75th pct.
Doctoral or professional degree 3,900 openings/yr 40K employed nationally
Instructing Learning Strategies Speaking Reading Comprehension Active Listening
Day-to-day responsibilities

Teach courses pertaining to the application of physical laws and principles of engineering for the development of machines, materials, instruments, processes, and services. Includes teachers of subjects such as chemical, civil, electrical, industrial, mechanical, mineral, and petroleum engineering. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

  • Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
  • Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
  • Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.

Top Colleges for Mechatronics & Robotics

Not sure where to study Mechatronics & Robotics? These 20 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.

Ranked by score, that list starts with the cost and outcomes at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and the rest follow the same measures.

# College Graduates Acceptance Net Price/yr Earnings 10yr
1 Worcester Polytechnic Institute Worcester, MA · Nonprofit 288 60.2% $43,071 $103,470
2 Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ · Public 160 89.9% $14,967 $62,668
3 Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA · Nonprofit 148 11.7% $31,944 $114,862
4 University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI · Public 109 15.6% $13,138 $83,648
5 New York University New York, NY · Nonprofit 81 9.2% $37,050 $82,509
6 Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GA · Public 78 69.2% $15,048 $57,552
7 Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD · Nonprofit 60 6.4% $18,809 $87,555
8 Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TN · Public 51 69.1% $13,359 $48,541
9 Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus Atlanta, GA · Public 46 14.1% $12,116 $102,772
10 Northeastern University Boston, MA · Nonprofit 44 5.2% $30,915 $92,538
11 Oregon State University Corvallis, OR · Public 32 77.3% $19,604 $64,010
12 University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WA · Public 29 39.2% $14,091 $78,466
13 Michigan Technological University Houghton, MI · Public 28 92.4% $14,182 $78,198
14 Pennsylvania Western University California, PA · Public 23 94.3% $18,256 $47,295
15 Oakland University Rochester Hills, MI · Public 22 87.8% $9,120 $58,612
16 Widener University Chester, PA · Nonprofit 22 70.9% $25,759 $70,920
17 Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology Lancaster, PA · Public 22 71.2% $14,104 $54,681
18 Boston University Boston, MA · Nonprofit 21 11.1% $24,402 $83,238
19 Lawrence Technological University Southfield, MI · Nonprofit 20 55.9% $32,918 $69,151
20 University of Toledo Toledo, OH · Public 19 92% $17,249 $50,632

Ranked by Mechatronics & Robotics graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats. Read our methodology →

Plan Your Path

Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Mechatronics & Robotics program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find schools that match your profile.

Mechatronics & Robotics Degree: Pros & Cons

Strong earnings and positive career growth make Mechatronics & Robotics a solid option. The 4 strengths and 1 trade-offs below are data-sourced from College Scorecard, BLS, and IPEDS.

PROS
  • Strong median salary Graduates earn $101,649 nationally four years out, placing this field above most degree programs in the country.
  • Positive job outlook Related careers project up to +7.8% job growth over the next 10 years, a solid signal for long-term demand.
  • Strong hiring volume Related occupations generate more than 18,800 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
  • High upside potential Top earners (75th percentile) in this program reach $125,175, a strong ceiling for high performers.
CONS
  • Advanced degree often expected Top roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.

Mechatronics & Robotics Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Mechatronics & Robotics graduates earn?
$101,649 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $82,997 and $125,175, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for a Mechatronics & Robotics degree?
$80,491 in the first year out. That grows to $101,649 by year four, so do not judge this field on the entry-level number alone. Most of the gain shows up once you clear the first few years and move past entry-level roles. Source: College Scorecard.
What jobs can you get with a Mechatronics & Robotics degree?
Architectural & Engineering Manager is one path, and it pays a median of $171,270 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.
How long does a Mechatronics & Robotics program take?
Four years for the bachelor's, plus one to two more if you continue on to a master's, which many Mechatronics & Robotics students do. Some schools shorten that with an accelerated 5-year combined program.
How many colleges offer Mechatronics & Robotics?
102 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.
Is a Mechatronics & Robotics degree worth it?
$101,649 median earnings four years out against $21,005 a year in average net price. That is a fast payback, and it holds up especially well at lower-cost schools. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the difference between Mechatronics & Robotics and Engineering?
Mechatronics & Robotics is the narrower of the two: Engineering covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Mechatronics & Robotics-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.
What skills do employers look for in Mechatronics & Robotics graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Mechatronics & Robotics graduates consistently look for analytical thinking, technical proficiency, and data interpretation. Employers typically prioritize candidates who can demonstrate hands-on project or internship experience alongside their coursework. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
Is graduate school worth it for Mechatronics & Robotics graduates?
Usually worth considering. A master's in a STEM field can accelerate advancement into research, leadership, or senior engineering roles, and often adds $15,000 to $40,000 in long-term earning potential depending on specialization. Weigh that against your own career goals, the program's cost, and whether your target role actually rewards the advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Mechatronics & Robotics graduates?
Outlook is moderate overall: related occupations average +6.7% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Engineering Teachers are among the strongest-growth roles at +7.8%. That average hides real differences by role and location, so check the Career Paths section below for the projection on each specific occupation before you count on any single number.

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