Computer Engineering Degree in Dearborn, MI — Salary & ROI 2026
Computer Engineering degree analysis for Dearborn, MI. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$45K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$113K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
8.2 yrs
in Dearborn
Cost of Living
90.5
index (100 = avg)
Computer Engineering in Dearborn, MI Overview
While Dearborn has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Computer Engineering students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $12,567/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Computer Engineering has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for VLSI Design and Embedded Systems skills. The adjusted starting salary in Dearborn is approximately $45,250, growing to $113,125 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$15,400/yr
Private Tuition
$32,000/yr
Room & Board
$12,567/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,314/yr
Unemployment
4.9%
Graduation Rate
57%
Computer Engineering Salary in Dearborn (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Dearborn's cost of living index of 90.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Computer Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $125,000 mid-career, $155,000 senior level.Dearborn adjustment factor: 0.91x based on the local cost of living index.
Computer Engineering ROI Calculator for Dearborn
Estimate your return on investment for a Computer Engineering degree using local Dearborn tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $15,400 | Private avg: $32,000
Dearborn avg aid: $8,314/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$111,868
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,575
vs HS diploma in Dearborn
ROI Payback Period
8.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Dearborn
$883,632
Lifetime earnings premium ($995,500) minus total education cost ($111,868)
Student Loan Payoff for Computer Engineering in Dearborn
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Dearborn for Computer Engineering
Dearborn State University
public
$14,575/yr
$58,300 total
University of Dearborn
public
$15,869/yr
$63,476 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Dearborn Community College
$5,650/yr
Top Employers for Computer Engineering in Dearborn
Dearborn offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Computer Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Dearborn Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Computer Engineering Job Titles
Computer Engineering in Nearby Michigan Cities
Detroit, MI
$44K starting · COL 87
43 colleges
Grand Rapids, MI
$44K starting · COL 88
10 colleges
Warren, MI
$44K starting · COL 88.5
6 colleges
Sterling Heights, MI
$46K starting · COL 92.8
5 colleges
Ann Arbor, MI
$43K starting · COL 85
14 colleges
Lansing, MI
$43K starting · COL 85
6 colleges
Clinton Township, MI
$48K starting · COL 96.2
4 colleges
Canton Township, MI
$47K starting · COL 93.5
4 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Dearborn
Petroleum Engineering
$45K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$74K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$45K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$72K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$72K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$71K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$45K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$45K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Computer Engineering Degree in Dearborn — 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 Computer Engineering ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Dearborn.