Aerospace Engineering Degree in Montgomery, AL — Salary & ROI 2026
Aerospace Engineering degree analysis for Montgomery, AL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$74K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$106K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.1 yrs
in Montgomery
Cost of Living
92
index (100 = avg)
Aerospace Engineering in Montgomery, AL Overview
Montgomery is one of Alabama's top college towns, with 21 institutions and a student population of 17,419. Public tuition averages $10,814/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. Aerospace Engineering has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Aerodynamics and Propulsion skills. The adjusted starting salary in Montgomery is approximately $73,600.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
21
Public Tuition
$10,814/yr
Private Tuition
$29,622/yr
Room & Board
$11,372/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$7,044/yr
Unemployment
4.5%
Graduation Rate
46%
Aerospace Engineering Salary in Montgomery (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Montgomery's cost of living index of 92 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Aerospace Engineering salary: $80,000 starting, $115,000 mid-career, $145,000 senior level.Montgomery adjustment factor: 0.92x based on the local cost of living index.
Aerospace Engineering ROI Calculator for Montgomery
Estimate your return on investment for a Aerospace Engineering degree using local Montgomery tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,814 | Private avg: $29,622
Montgomery avg aid: $7,044/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$88,744
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$41,400
vs HS diploma in Montgomery
ROI Payback Period
2.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Montgomery
$812,856
Lifetime earnings premium ($901,600) minus total education cost ($88,744)
Student Loan Payoff for Aerospace Engineering in Montgomery
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Montgomery for Aerospace Engineering
Alabama State University
public
$11,068/yr
$44,272 total
Auburn University at Montgomery
public
$10,560/yr
$42,240 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Trenholm State Community College
$4,800/yr
Top Employers for Aerospace Engineering in Montgomery
Montgomery offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Aerospace Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Montgomery Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Aerospace Engineering Job Titles
Aerospace Engineering in Nearby Alabama Cities
Huntsville, AL
$78K starting · COL 98
21 colleges
Birmingham, AL
$70K starting · COL 88
10 colleges
Mobile, AL
$78K starting · COL 98
12 colleges
Tuscaloosa, AL
$62K starting · COL 78
8 colleges
Hoover, AL
$77K starting · COL 95.8
4 colleges
Auburn, AL
$82K starting · COL 103
2 colleges
Dothan, AL
$66K starting · COL 82.5
3 colleges
Decatur, AL
$66K starting · COL 82.8
3 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Montgomery
Petroleum Engineering
$46K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$46K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$75K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$46K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$74K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$72K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$46K starting · 3 yr ROI
Architectural Engineering
$72K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering Degree in Montgomery — 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 Montgomery.