Mechanical Engineering Degree in Anaheim, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Mechanical Engineering degree analysis for Anaheim, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$91K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$129K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
1.9 yrs
in Anaheim
Cost of Living
117
index (100 = avg)
Mechanical Engineering in Anaheim, CA Overview
Anaheim, California (pop. 350,365) has 19 colleges offering Mechanical Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 117 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,729/month. Mechanical Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in CAD and Thermodynamics. The adjusted starting salary in Anaheim is approximately $91,260.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
19
Public Tuition
$6,920/yr
Private Tuition
$37,099/yr
Room & Board
$16,938/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,487/yr
Unemployment
4.1%
Graduation Rate
53%
Mechanical Engineering Salary in Anaheim (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Anaheim's cost of living index of 117 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Mechanical Engineering salary: $78,000 starting, $110,000 mid-career, $138,000 senior level.Anaheim adjustment factor: 1.17x based on the local cost of living index.
Mechanical Engineering ROI Calculator for Anaheim
Estimate your return on investment for a Mechanical Engineering degree using local Anaheim tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $6,920 | Private avg: $37,099
Anaheim avg aid: $11,487/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$95,432
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$50,310
vs HS diploma in Anaheim
ROI Payback Period
1.9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Anaheim
$1,016,068
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,111,500) minus total education cost ($95,432)
Student Loan Payoff for Mechanical Engineering in Anaheim
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Anaheim for Mechanical Engineering
Cal State Fullerton
public
$6,920/yr
$27,680 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Fullerton College
$1,540/yr
Top Employers for Mechanical Engineering in Anaheim
Anaheim offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Mechanical Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Anaheim Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Mechanical Engineering Job Titles
Mechanical Engineering in Nearby California Cities
Los Angeles, CA
$110K starting · COL 141
69 colleges
San Diego, CA
$109K starting · COL 140
68 colleges
San Jose, CA
$101K starting · COL 129
95 colleges
San Francisco, CA
$89K starting · COL 114
22 colleges
Fresno, CA
$92K starting · COL 118
37 colleges
Sacramento, CA
$87K starting · COL 112
38 colleges
Long Beach, CA
$90K starting · COL 116
14 colleges
Oakland, CA
$103K starting · COL 132
13 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Anaheim
Petroleum Engineering
$59K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$59K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$96K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$59K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$94K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$94K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$59K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$59K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering Degree in Anaheim — 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 Anaheim.