Aerospace Engineering Degree in Bend, OR — Salary & ROI 2026
Aerospace Engineering degree analysis for Bend, OR. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$86K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$123K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.4 yrs
in Bend
Cost of Living
107
index (100 = avg)
Aerospace Engineering in Bend, OR Overview
While Bend has a smaller college scene with 2 institutions, Aerospace Engineering students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $16,767/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Aerospace Engineering has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Aerodynamics and Propulsion skills. The adjusted starting salary in Bend is approximately $85,600.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
2
Public Tuition
$11,580/yr
Private Tuition
$54,584/yr
Room & Board
$16,767/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$7,503/yr
Unemployment
7%
Graduation Rate
49%
Aerospace Engineering Salary in Bend (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Bend's cost of living index of 107 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Aerospace Engineering salary: $80,000 starting, $115,000 mid-career, $145,000 senior level.Bend adjustment factor: 1.07x based on the local cost of living index.
Aerospace Engineering ROI Calculator for Bend
Estimate your return on investment for a Aerospace Engineering degree using local Bend tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,580 | Private avg: $54,584
Bend avg aid: $7,503/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$113,388
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$48,150
vs HS diploma in Bend
ROI Payback Period
2.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Bend
$935,212
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,048,600) minus total education cost ($113,388)
Student Loan Payoff for Aerospace Engineering in Bend
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Bend for Aerospace Engineering
Oregon State University-Cascades
public
$11,580/yr
$46,320 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Central Oregon Community College
$4,536/yr
Top Employers for Aerospace Engineering in Bend
Bend offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Aerospace Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Bend Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Aerospace Engineering Job Titles
Aerospace Engineering in Nearby Oregon Cities
Portland, OR
$90K starting · COL 112
24 colleges
Eugene, OR
$104K starting · COL 130
14 colleges
Salem, OR
$96K starting · COL 120
14 colleges
Gresham, OR
$88K starting · COL 110.2
5 colleges
Hillsboro, OR
$92K starting · COL 115.5
5 colleges
Beaverton, OR
$85K starting · COL 105.9
4 colleges
Medford, OR
$89K starting · COL 111
4 colleges
Springfield, OR
$96K starting · COL 120.3
3 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Bend
Petroleum Engineering
$54K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$54K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$88K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$54K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$86K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$83K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$54K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$54K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering Degree in Bend — 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 Bend.