Aerospace Engineering Degree in Virginia Beach, VA — Salary & ROI 2026
Aerospace Engineering degree analysis for Virginia Beach, VA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$70K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$101K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.1 yrs
in Virginia Beach
Cost of Living
88
index (100 = avg)
Aerospace Engineering in Virginia Beach, VA Overview
Virginia Beach, Virginia (pop. 459,470) has 13 colleges offering Aerospace Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 88 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $975/month. Aerospace Engineering has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Aerodynamics and Propulsion skills. The adjusted starting salary in Virginia Beach is approximately $70,400.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
13
Public Tuition
$11,210/yr
Private Tuition
$28,926/yr
Room & Board
$9,485/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,610/yr
Unemployment
3.2%
Graduation Rate
51%
Aerospace Engineering Salary in Virginia Beach (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Virginia Beach's cost of living index of 88 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Aerospace Engineering salary: $80,000 starting, $115,000 mid-career, $145,000 senior level.Virginia Beach adjustment factor: 0.88x based on the local cost of living index.
Aerospace Engineering ROI Calculator for Virginia Beach
Estimate your return on investment for a Aerospace Engineering degree using local Virginia Beach tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,210 | Private avg: $28,926
Virginia Beach avg aid: $12,610/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$82,780
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$39,600
vs HS diploma in Virginia Beach
ROI Payback Period
2.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Virginia Beach
$779,620
Lifetime earnings premium ($862,400) minus total education cost ($82,780)
Student Loan Payoff for Aerospace Engineering in Virginia Beach
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Virginia Beach for Aerospace Engineering
Regent University
private
$19,100/yr
$76,400 total
Virginia Wesleyan University
private
$38,752/yr
$155,008 total
Old Dominion University
public
$11,210/yr
$44,840 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Tidewater Community College
$5,340/yr
Top Employers for Aerospace Engineering in Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Aerospace Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Virginia Beach Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Aerospace Engineering Job Titles
Aerospace Engineering in Nearby Virginia Cities
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
Roanoke, VA
$71K starting · COL 88.5
4 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Virginia Beach
Petroleum Engineering
$44K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$44K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$72K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$44K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$70K 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 Virginia Beach — 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 Virginia Beach.