Mechanical Engineering Degree in Alexandria, VA — Salary & ROI 2026
Mechanical Engineering degree analysis for Alexandria, VA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$80K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$112K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.2 yrs
in Alexandria
Cost of Living
102
index (100 = avg)
Mechanical Engineering in Alexandria, VA Overview
Alexandria, Virginia (pop. 159,467) has 8 colleges offering Mechanical Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 102 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $930/month. Mechanical Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in CAD and Thermodynamics. The adjusted starting salary in Alexandria is approximately $79,560.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
8
Public Tuition
$14,726/yr
Private Tuition
$40,924/yr
Room & Board
$9,270/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,142/yr
Unemployment
4.5%
Graduation Rate
74%
Mechanical Engineering Salary in Alexandria (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Alexandria's cost of living index of 102 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Mechanical Engineering salary: $78,000 starting, $110,000 mid-career, $138,000 senior level.Alexandria adjustment factor: 1.02x based on the local cost of living index.
Mechanical Engineering ROI Calculator for Alexandria
Estimate your return on investment for a Mechanical Engineering degree using local Alexandria tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,726 | Private avg: $40,924
Alexandria avg aid: $8,142/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$95,984
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$43,860
vs HS diploma in Alexandria
ROI Payback Period
2.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Alexandria
$873,016
Lifetime earnings premium ($969,000) minus total education cost ($95,984)
Student Loan Payoff for Mechanical Engineering in Alexandria
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Alexandria for Mechanical Engineering
Virginia Tech Northern Virginia
public
$14,726/yr
$58,904 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Northern Virginia Community College
$5,340/yr
Top Employers for Mechanical Engineering in Alexandria
Alexandria offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Mechanical Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Alexandria Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Mechanical Engineering Job Titles
Mechanical Engineering in Nearby Virginia Cities
Virginia Beach, VA
$69K starting · COL 88
13 colleges
Chesapeake, VA
$71K starting · COL 91
12 colleges
Arlington, VA
$111K starting · COL 142.5
9 colleges
Norfolk, VA
$73K starting · COL 93
16 colleges
Richmond, VA
$78K starting · COL 100
11 colleges
Newport News, VA
$72K starting · COL 92.5
7 colleges
Hampton, VA
$76K starting · COL 97
7 colleges
Roanoke, VA
$69K starting · COL 88.5
4 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Alexandria
Petroleum Engineering
$51K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$51K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$84K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$51K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$82K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$82K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$51K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$51K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering Degree in Alexandria — 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 Mechanical Engineering ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Alexandria.