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Aerospace Engineering Degree in Metairie, LA — Salary & ROI 2026

Aerospace Engineering degree analysis for Metairie, LA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.

Starting Salary

$72K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$103K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

2.3 yrs

in Metairie

Cost of Living

89.4

index (100 = avg)

Aerospace Engineering in Metairie, LA Overview

Metairie, Louisiana (pop. 138,481) has 6 colleges offering Aerospace Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 89.4 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $645/month. Aerospace Engineering has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Aerodynamics and Propulsion skills. The adjusted starting salary in Metairie is approximately $71,520.

Category

Engineering

Local Colleges

6

Public Tuition

$9,800/yr

Private Tuition

$28,000/yr

Room & Board

$13,366/yr

Avg Fin. Aid

$14,835/yr

Unemployment

3.4%

Graduation Rate

57%

Aerospace Engineering Salary in Metairie (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Metairie's cost of living index of 89.4 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$71,520($-8,480 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$102,810($-12,190 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$129,630($-15,370 vs national)

Note: National average Aerospace Engineering salary: $80,000 starting, $115,000 mid-career, $145,000 senior level.Metairie adjustment factor: 0.89x based on the local cost of living index.

Aerospace Engineering ROI Calculator for Metairie

Estimate your return on investment for a Aerospace Engineering degree using local Metairie tuition and cost of living data.

Public avg: $9,800 | Private avg: $28,000

Metairie avg aid: $14,835/yr

Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%

Total Education Cost

$92,664

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$40,230

vs HS diploma in Metairie

ROI Payback Period

2.3 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Metairie

$783,456

Lifetime earnings premium ($876,120) minus total education cost ($92,664)

Student Loan Payoff for Aerospace Engineering in Metairie

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$92,664
Monthly Payment$1,052
Total Interest$33,598
% of Monthly Income18%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$92,664
Monthly Payment$1,813
Total Interest$16,121
Interest Savings$17,477

Colleges in Metairie for Aerospace Engineering

Metairie State University

public

$8,983/yr

$35,932 total

University of Metairie

public

$10,583/yr

$42,332 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Metairie Community College

$4,982/yr

Top Employers for Aerospace Engineering in Metairie

Metairie offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Aerospace Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:

BoeingLockheed MartinSpaceXNorthrop GrummanNASA

Key Metairie Hiring Sectors for Engineering

Engineering firms

Manufacturing

Defense contractors

Energy companies

Construction firms

Common Aerospace Engineering Job Titles

Aerospace EngineerFlight Test EngineerSystems Engineer

Aerospace Engineering Degree in Metairie — 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.

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Compare Aerospace Engineering ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Metairie.

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