Aerospace Engineering Degree in Roanoke, VA — Salary & ROI 2026
Aerospace Engineering degree analysis for Roanoke, VA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$71K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$102K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.9 yrs
in Roanoke
Cost of Living
88.5
index (100 = avg)
Aerospace Engineering in Roanoke, VA Overview
While Roanoke has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Aerospace Engineering students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $14,393/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 Roanoke is approximately $70,800.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$14,200/yr
Private Tuition
$38,000/yr
Room & Board
$14,393/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,213/yr
Unemployment
2.8%
Graduation Rate
63%
Aerospace Engineering Salary in Roanoke (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Roanoke's cost of living index of 88.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Aerospace Engineering salary: $80,000 starting, $115,000 mid-career, $145,000 senior level.Roanoke adjustment factor: 0.89x based on the local cost of living index.
Aerospace Engineering ROI Calculator for Roanoke
Estimate your return on investment for a Aerospace Engineering degree using local Roanoke tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,200 | Private avg: $38,000
Roanoke avg aid: $11,213/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$114,372
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$39,825
vs HS diploma in Roanoke
ROI Payback Period
2.9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Roanoke
$752,928
Lifetime earnings premium ($867,300) minus total education cost ($114,372)
Student Loan Payoff for Aerospace Engineering in Roanoke
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Roanoke for Aerospace Engineering
Roanoke State University
public
$14,684/yr
$58,736 total
University of Roanoke
public
$12,724/yr
$50,896 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Roanoke Community College
$5,068/yr
Top Employers for Aerospace Engineering in Roanoke
Roanoke offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Aerospace Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Roanoke 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
Richmond, VA
$80K starting · COL 100
11 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
Other Engineering Majors in Roanoke
Petroleum Engineering
$44K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$44K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$73K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$44K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$71K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$69K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$44K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$44K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering Degree in Roanoke — 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 Roanoke.