Mechanical Engineering Degree in Garland, TX — Salary & ROI 2026
Mechanical Engineering degree analysis for Garland, TX. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$69K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$98K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.3 yrs
in Garland
Cost of Living
89
index (100 = avg)
Mechanical Engineering in Garland, TX Overview
Garland is one of Texas's top college towns, with 23 institutions and a student population of 18,986. Public tuition averages $11,277/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 Garland is approximately $69,420.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
23
Public Tuition
$11,277/yr
Private Tuition
$7,560/yr
Room & Board
$10,998/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,785/yr
Unemployment
5.3%
Graduation Rate
55%
Mechanical Engineering Salary in Garland (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Garland's cost of living index of 89 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Mechanical Engineering salary: $78,000 starting, $110,000 mid-career, $138,000 senior level.Garland adjustment factor: 0.89x based on the local cost of living index.
Mechanical Engineering ROI Calculator for Garland
Estimate your return on investment for a Mechanical Engineering degree using local Garland tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,277 | Private avg: $7,560
Garland avg aid: $11,785/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$89,100
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$38,270
vs HS diploma in Garland
ROI Payback Period
2.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Garland
$756,400
Lifetime earnings premium ($845,500) minus total education cost ($89,100)
Student Loan Payoff for Mechanical Engineering in Garland
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Garland for Mechanical Engineering
Amberton University
private
$7,560/yr
$30,240 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Dallas College Richland Campus
$2,220/yr
Top Employers for Mechanical Engineering in Garland
Garland offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Mechanical Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Garland Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Mechanical Engineering Job Titles
Mechanical Engineering in Nearby Texas Cities
Houston, TX
$90K starting · COL 115
90 colleges
San Antonio, TX
$94K starting · COL 120
58 colleges
Dallas, TX
$81K starting · COL 104
82 colleges
Austin, TX
$83K starting · COL 107
30 colleges
Fort Worth, TX
$79K starting · COL 101
19 colleges
El Paso, TX
$73K starting · COL 93
38 colleges
Arlington, TX
$73K starting · COL 93.5
14 colleges
Corpus Christi, TX
$64K starting · COL 82
22 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Garland
Petroleum Engineering
$45K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$45K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$73K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$45K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$71K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$71K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$45K starting · 3 yr ROI
Architectural Engineering
$69K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering Degree in Garland — 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 Garland.