Mechanical Engineering Degree in Gresham, OR — Salary & ROI 2026
Mechanical Engineering degree analysis for Gresham, OR. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$86K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$121K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.2 yrs
in Gresham
Cost of Living
110.2
index (100 = avg)
Mechanical Engineering in Gresham, OR Overview
While Gresham has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Mechanical Engineering students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $13,788/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Mechanical Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in CAD and Thermodynamics. The adjusted starting salary in Gresham is approximately $85,956.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$12,400/yr
Private Tuition
$38,000/yr
Room & Board
$13,788/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,238/yr
Unemployment
3.9%
Graduation Rate
75%
Mechanical Engineering Salary in Gresham (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Gresham's cost of living index of 110.2 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Mechanical Engineering salary: $78,000 starting, $110,000 mid-career, $138,000 senior level.Gresham adjustment factor: 1.10x based on the local cost of living index.
Mechanical Engineering ROI Calculator for Gresham
Estimate your return on investment for a Mechanical Engineering degree using local Gresham tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,400 | Private avg: $38,000
Gresham avg aid: $11,238/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$104,752
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$47,386
vs HS diploma in Gresham
ROI Payback Period
2.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Gresham
$942,148
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,046,900) minus total education cost ($104,752)
Student Loan Payoff for Mechanical Engineering in Gresham
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Gresham for Mechanical Engineering
Gresham State University
public
$11,604/yr
$46,416 total
University of Gresham
public
$12,019/yr
$48,076 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Gresham Community College
$5,463/yr
Top Employers for Mechanical Engineering in Gresham
Gresham offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Mechanical Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Gresham Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Mechanical Engineering Job Titles
Mechanical Engineering in Nearby Oregon Cities
Portland, OR
$87K starting · COL 112
24 colleges
Eugene, OR
$101K starting · COL 130
14 colleges
Salem, OR
$94K starting · COL 120
14 colleges
Hillsboro, OR
$90K starting · COL 115.5
5 colleges
Bend, OR
$83K starting · COL 107
2 colleges
Beaverton, OR
$83K starting · COL 105.9
4 colleges
Medford, OR
$87K starting · COL 111
4 colleges
Springfield, OR
$94K starting · COL 120.3
3 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Gresham
Petroleum Engineering
$55K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$55K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$90K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$55K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$88K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$88K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$55K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$55K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering Degree in Gresham — 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 Gresham.