Aerospace Engineering Degree in Spokane, WA — Salary & ROI 2026
Aerospace Engineering degree analysis for Spokane, WA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$97K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$139K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
1.9 yrs
in Spokane
Cost of Living
121
index (100 = avg)
Aerospace Engineering in Spokane, WA Overview
Spokane, Washington (pop. 228,989) has 20 colleges offering Aerospace Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 121 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,678/month. Aerospace Engineering has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Aerodynamics and Propulsion skills. The adjusted starting salary in Spokane is approximately $96,800.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
20
Public Tuition
$13,119/yr
Private Tuition
$49,320/yr
Room & Board
$13,236/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,489/yr
Unemployment
4.6%
Graduation Rate
61%
Aerospace Engineering Salary in Spokane (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Spokane's cost of living index of 121 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Aerospace Engineering salary: $80,000 starting, $115,000 mid-career, $145,000 senior level.Spokane adjustment factor: 1.21x based on the local cost of living index.
Aerospace Engineering ROI Calculator for Spokane
Estimate your return on investment for a Aerospace Engineering degree using local Spokane tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $13,119 | Private avg: $49,320
Spokane avg aid: $8,489/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$105,420
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$54,450
vs HS diploma in Spokane
ROI Payback Period
1.9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Spokane
$1,080,380
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,185,800) minus total education cost ($105,420)
Student Loan Payoff for Aerospace Engineering in Spokane
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Spokane for Aerospace Engineering
Gonzaga University
private
$50,380/yr
$201,520 total
Whitworth University
private
$48,260/yr
$193,040 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Spokane Falls Community College
$4,479/yr
Top Employers for Aerospace Engineering in Spokane
Spokane offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Aerospace Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Spokane Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Aerospace Engineering Job Titles
Aerospace Engineering in Nearby Washington Cities
Seattle, WA
$96K starting · COL 120
16 colleges
Tacoma, WA
$90K starting · COL 113
25 colleges
Vancouver, WA
$87K starting · COL 108.5
7 colleges
Bellevue, WA
$143K starting · COL 178.5
6 colleges
Kent, WA
$93K starting · COL 115.8
6 colleges
Everett, WA
$95K starting · COL 118.2
5 colleges
Renton, WA
$98K starting · COL 122.5
5 colleges
Spokane Valley, WA
$98K starting · COL 123.1
4 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Spokane
Petroleum Engineering
$61K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$61K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$99K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$61K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$97K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$94K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$61K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$61K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering Degree in Spokane — 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 Spokane.