Mechanical Engineering Degree in Boise, ID — Salary & ROI 2026
Mechanical Engineering degree analysis for Boise, ID. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$94K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$133K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
1.7 yrs
in Boise
Cost of Living
121
index (100 = avg)
Mechanical Engineering in Boise, ID Overview
Boise is one of Idaho's top college towns, with 27 institutions and a student population of 13,506. Public tuition averages $8,060/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. Mechanical Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in CAD and Thermodynamics. The adjusted starting salary in Boise is approximately $94,380.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
27
Public Tuition
$8,060/yr
Private Tuition
$34,250/yr
Room & Board
$13,521/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,294/yr
Unemployment
5.6%
Graduation Rate
58%
Mechanical Engineering Salary in Boise (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Boise's cost of living index of 121 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Mechanical Engineering salary: $78,000 starting, $110,000 mid-career, $138,000 senior level.Boise adjustment factor: 1.21x based on the local cost of living index.
Mechanical Engineering ROI Calculator for Boise
Estimate your return on investment for a Mechanical Engineering degree using local Boise tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,060 | Private avg: $34,250
Boise avg aid: $15,294/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$86,324
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$52,030
vs HS diploma in Boise
ROI Payback Period
1.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Boise
$1,063,176
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,149,500) minus total education cost ($86,324)
Student Loan Payoff for Mechanical Engineering in Boise
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Boise for Mechanical Engineering
Boise State University
public
$8,060/yr
$32,240 total
College of Idaho
private
$34,250/yr
$137,000 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
College of Western Idaho
$3,456/yr
Top Employers for Mechanical Engineering in Boise
Boise offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Mechanical Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Boise Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Mechanical Engineering Job Titles
Mechanical Engineering in Nearby Idaho Cities
Meridian, ID
$81K starting · COL 103.8
5 colleges
Nampa, ID
$75K starting · COL 95.8
4 colleges
Idaho Falls, ID
$72K starting · COL 92.5
3 colleges
Caldwell, ID
$72K starting · COL 92.8
3 colleges
Pocatello, ID
$92K starting · COL 118
6 colleges
Coeur d'Alene, ID
$82K starting · COL 105.2
3 colleges
Twin Falls, ID
$98K starting · COL 126
5 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Boise
Petroleum Engineering
$61K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$61K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$99K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$61K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$97K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$97K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$61K starting · 3 yr ROI
Architectural Engineering
$94K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering Degree in Boise — 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 Boise.