Aerospace Engineering Degree in Richmond, VA — Salary & ROI 2026
Aerospace Engineering degree analysis for Richmond, VA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$80K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$115K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.3 yrs
in Richmond
Cost of Living
100
index (100 = avg)
Aerospace Engineering in Richmond, VA Overview
Richmond, Virginia (pop. 226,610) has 11 colleges offering Aerospace Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 100 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $737/month. Aerospace Engineering has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Aerodynamics and Propulsion skills. The adjusted starting salary in Richmond is approximately $80,000.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
11
Public Tuition
$14,676/yr
Private Tuition
$58,570/yr
Room & Board
$10,932/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$9,068/yr
Unemployment
5.7%
Graduation Rate
65%
Aerospace Engineering Salary in Richmond (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Richmond's cost of living index of 100 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Aerospace Engineering salary: $80,000 starting, $115,000 mid-career, $145,000 senior level.Richmond adjustment factor: 1.00x based on the local cost of living index.
Aerospace Engineering ROI Calculator for Richmond
Estimate your return on investment for a Aerospace Engineering degree using local Richmond tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,676 | Private avg: $58,570
Richmond avg aid: $9,068/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$102,432
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$45,000
vs HS diploma in Richmond
ROI Payback Period
2.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Richmond
$877,568
Lifetime earnings premium ($980,000) minus total education cost ($102,432)
Student Loan Payoff for Aerospace Engineering in Richmond
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Richmond for Aerospace Engineering
Virginia Commonwealth University
public
$14,676/yr
$58,704 total
University of Richmond
private
$58,570/yr
$234,280 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Reynolds Community College
$5,340/yr
Top Employers for Aerospace Engineering in Richmond
Richmond offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Aerospace Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Richmond Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Aerospace Engineering Job Titles
Aerospace Engineering in Nearby Virginia Cities
Virginia Beach, VA
$70K starting · COL 88
13 colleges
Chesapeake, VA
$73K starting · COL 91
12 colleges
Arlington, VA
$114K starting · COL 142.5
9 colleges
Norfolk, VA
$74K starting · COL 93
16 colleges
Newport News, VA
$74K starting · COL 92.5
7 colleges
Alexandria, VA
$82K starting · COL 102
8 colleges
Hampton, VA
$78K starting · COL 97
7 colleges
Roanoke, VA
$71K starting · COL 88.5
4 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Richmond
Petroleum Engineering
$50K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$50K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$82K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$50K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$80K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$78K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$50K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$50K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering Degree in Richmond — 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 Richmond.