Mechanical Engineering Degree in Augusta, GA — Salary & ROI 2026
Mechanical Engineering degree analysis for Augusta, GA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$65K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$91K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.1 yrs
in Augusta
Cost of Living
83
index (100 = avg)
Mechanical Engineering in Augusta, GA Overview
Augusta, Georgia (pop. 202,081) has 11 colleges offering Mechanical Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 83 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $848/month. Mechanical Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in CAD and Thermodynamics. The adjusted starting salary in Augusta is approximately $64,740.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
11
Public Tuition
$9,540/yr
Private Tuition
$30,837/yr
Room & Board
$9,609/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,269/yr
Unemployment
4.7%
Graduation Rate
56%
Mechanical Engineering Salary in Augusta (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Augusta's cost of living index of 83 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Mechanical Engineering salary: $78,000 starting, $110,000 mid-career, $138,000 senior level.Augusta adjustment factor: 0.83x based on the local cost of living index.
Mechanical Engineering ROI Calculator for Augusta
Estimate your return on investment for a Mechanical Engineering degree using local Augusta tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $9,540 | Private avg: $30,837
Augusta avg aid: $12,269/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$76,596
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$35,690
vs HS diploma in Augusta
ROI Payback Period
2.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Augusta
$711,904
Lifetime earnings premium ($788,500) minus total education cost ($76,596)
Student Loan Payoff for Mechanical Engineering in Augusta
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Augusta for Mechanical Engineering
Augusta University
public
$9,540/yr
$38,160 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Augusta Technical College
$3,152/yr
Top Employers for Mechanical Engineering in Augusta
Augusta offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Mechanical Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Augusta Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Mechanical Engineering Job Titles
Mechanical Engineering in Nearby Georgia Cities
Atlanta, GA
$79K starting · COL 101
23 colleges
Columbus, GA
$66K starting · COL 84.5
8 colleges
Macon, GA
$79K starting · COL 101
13 colleges
Savannah, GA
$74K starting · COL 95
12 colleges
Athens, GA
$80K starting · COL 103
11 colleges
Sandy Springs, GA
$88K starting · COL 112.5
5 colleges
Roswell, GA
$84K starting · COL 108.2
4 colleges
Johns Creek, GA
$88K starting · COL 112.8
4 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Augusta
Petroleum Engineering
$42K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$42K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$68K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$42K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$66K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$66K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$42K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$42K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering Degree in Augusta — 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 Augusta.