Aerospace Engineering Degree in Ann Arbor, MI — Salary & ROI 2026
Aerospace Engineering degree analysis for Ann Arbor, MI. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$68K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$98K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.7 yrs
in Ann Arbor
Cost of Living
85
index (100 = avg)
Aerospace Engineering in Ann Arbor, MI Overview
Ann Arbor, Michigan (pop. 123,851) has 14 colleges offering Aerospace Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 85 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $1,014/month. Aerospace Engineering has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Aerodynamics and Propulsion skills. The adjusted starting salary in Ann Arbor is approximately $68,000.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
14
Public Tuition
$16,736/yr
Private Tuition
$33,100/yr
Room & Board
$9,067/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$16,913/yr
Unemployment
5.3%
Graduation Rate
65%
Aerospace Engineering Salary in Ann Arbor (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Ann Arbor's cost of living index of 85 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Aerospace Engineering salary: $80,000 starting, $115,000 mid-career, $145,000 senior level.Ann Arbor adjustment factor: 0.85x based on the local cost of living index.
Aerospace Engineering ROI Calculator for Ann Arbor
Estimate your return on investment for a Aerospace Engineering degree using local Ann Arbor tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $16,736 | Private avg: $33,100
Ann Arbor avg aid: $16,913/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$103,212
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$38,250
vs HS diploma in Ann Arbor
ROI Payback Period
2.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Ann Arbor
$729,788
Lifetime earnings premium ($833,000) minus total education cost ($103,212)
Student Loan Payoff for Aerospace Engineering in Ann Arbor
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Ann Arbor for Aerospace Engineering
University of Michigan
public
$16,736/yr
$66,944 total
Concordia University Ann Arbor
private
$33,100/yr
$132,400 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Washtenaw Community College
$3,600/yr
Top Employers for Aerospace Engineering in Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Aerospace Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Ann Arbor Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Aerospace Engineering Job Titles
Aerospace Engineering in Nearby Michigan Cities
Detroit, MI
$70K starting · COL 87
43 colleges
Grand Rapids, MI
$70K starting · COL 88
10 colleges
Warren, MI
$71K starting · COL 88.5
6 colleges
Sterling Heights, MI
$74K starting · COL 92.8
5 colleges
Lansing, MI
$68K starting · COL 85
6 colleges
Dearborn, MI
$72K starting · COL 90.5
5 colleges
Clinton Township, MI
$77K starting · COL 96.2
4 colleges
Canton Township, MI
$75K starting · COL 93.5
4 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Ann Arbor
Petroleum Engineering
$43K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$43K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$70K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$43K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$68K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$66K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$43K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$43K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering Degree in Ann Arbor — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Aerospace Engineering ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Ann Arbor.