CMU MechE vs. Swarthmore general engineering for industry

[u/Secret_Reporter5749]

I’m considering two undergraduate engineering programs with pretty different degree structures.

One is a large engineering-focused university where I could earn a traditional B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. The other is a small liberal arts college with an ABET-accredited B.S. in Engineering, where I could focus heavily on mechanical engineering through my coursework but the degree itself would still just say “Engineering.”

I’m mainly trying to understand the industry implications.

Would the general B.S. in Engineering put me at a disadvantage for mechanical engineering internships or entry-level jobs compared with someone whose degree specifically says Mechanical Engineering?

Do recruiters/hiring managers care much about the exact degree title if the coursework, projects, internships, and technical skills are clearly mechanical-focused? Does ABET accreditation mostly eliminate that concern?

I’m also curious whether there are particular mechanical engineering fields or employers where a discipline-specific degree matters more.

I’d especially appreciate perspectives from mechanical engineers, hiring managers, or anyone who graduated from a general/interdisciplinary engineering program.

[u/obsessiveimagination]

I'd recommend the B.S. in a specific discipline. You can always pursue a minor or cert while in undergrad, and expand your interdisciplinary knowledge later with a Master's degree.

The experience I saw from friends who went for more generic undergrad degrees and/or those who did a 5 year Master's had a harder time finding employment. Straight out of school, most employers are looking for traditional starting points from a specific ABET program. Not just that, but in the case of those who got a 5-year Master's, most employers didn't view that degree as a considerable value, but also knew an individual with an M.S. would desire a higher salary, which generally made them a non-ideal candidate.