Aerospace Engineering Degree in Minneapolis, MN — Salary & ROI 2026
Aerospace Engineering degree analysis for Minneapolis, MN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$78K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$112K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.5 yrs
in Minneapolis
Cost of Living
97
index (100 = avg)
Aerospace Engineering in Minneapolis, MN Overview
Minneapolis, Minnesota (pop. 429,954) has 15 colleges offering Aerospace Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 97 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $805/month. Aerospace Engineering has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Aerodynamics and Propulsion skills. The adjusted starting salary in Minneapolis is approximately $77,600.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
15
Public Tuition
$15,142/yr
Private Tuition
$45,823/yr
Room & Board
$12,394/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,033/yr
Unemployment
4.4%
Graduation Rate
61%
Aerospace Engineering Salary in Minneapolis (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Minneapolis's cost of living index of 97 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Aerospace Engineering salary: $80,000 starting, $115,000 mid-career, $145,000 senior level.Minneapolis adjustment factor: 0.97x based on the local cost of living index.
Aerospace Engineering ROI Calculator for Minneapolis
Estimate your return on investment for a Aerospace Engineering degree using local Minneapolis tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $15,142 | Private avg: $45,823
Minneapolis avg aid: $14,033/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$110,144
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$43,650
vs HS diploma in Minneapolis
ROI Payback Period
2.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Minneapolis
$840,456
Lifetime earnings premium ($950,600) minus total education cost ($110,144)
Student Loan Payoff for Aerospace Engineering in Minneapolis
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Minneapolis for Aerospace Engineering
University of Minnesota
public
$15,142/yr
$60,568 total
University of St. Thomas
private
$49,716/yr
$198,864 total
Augsburg University
private
$41,930/yr
$167,720 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Minneapolis College
$5,772/yr
Top Employers for Aerospace Engineering in Minneapolis
Minneapolis offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Aerospace Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Minneapolis Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Aerospace Engineering Job Titles
Aerospace Engineering in Nearby Minnesota Cities
Saint Paul, MN
$81K starting · COL 101.5
11 colleges
St. Paul, MN
$86K starting · COL 108
20 colleges
Rochester, MN
$84K starting · COL 105
8 colleges
Duluth, MN
$80K starting · COL 100
5 colleges
Bloomington, MN
$80K starting · COL 100.2
4 colleges
Brooklyn Park, MN
$79K starting · COL 98.8
4 colleges
Plymouth, MN
$86K starting · COL 107.3
4 colleges
Maple Grove, MN
$86K starting · COL 107.4
4 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Minneapolis
Petroleum Engineering
$49K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$49K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$80K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$49K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$78K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$76K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$49K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$49K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering Degree in Minneapolis — 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 Minneapolis.