Mechanical Engineering Degree in Hampton, VA — Salary & ROI 2026
Mechanical Engineering degree analysis for Hampton, VA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$76K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$107K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
1.8 yrs
in Hampton
Cost of Living
97
index (100 = avg)
Mechanical Engineering in Hampton, VA Overview
Hampton, Virginia (pop. 137,148) has 7 colleges offering Mechanical Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 97 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,001/month. Mechanical Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in CAD and Thermodynamics. The adjusted starting salary in Hampton is approximately $75,660.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
7
Public Tuition
$7,217/yr
Private Tuition
$29,404/yr
Room & Board
$11,761/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$10,608/yr
Unemployment
6%
Graduation Rate
52%
Mechanical Engineering Salary in Hampton (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Hampton's cost of living index of 97 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Mechanical Engineering salary: $78,000 starting, $110,000 mid-career, $138,000 senior level.Hampton adjustment factor: 0.97x based on the local cost of living index.
Mechanical Engineering ROI Calculator for Hampton
Estimate your return on investment for a Mechanical Engineering degree using local Hampton tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $7,217 | Private avg: $29,404
Hampton avg aid: $10,608/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$75,912
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$41,710
vs HS diploma in Hampton
ROI Payback Period
1.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Hampton
$845,588
Lifetime earnings premium ($921,500) minus total education cost ($75,912)
Student Loan Payoff for Mechanical Engineering in Hampton
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Hampton for Mechanical Engineering
Hampton University
private
$29,404/yr
$117,616 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Thomas Nelson Community College
$5,340/yr
Top Employers for Mechanical Engineering in Hampton
Hampton offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Mechanical Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Hampton Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Mechanical Engineering Job Titles
Mechanical Engineering in Nearby Virginia Cities
Virginia Beach, VA
$69K starting · COL 88
13 colleges
Chesapeake, VA
$71K starting · COL 91
12 colleges
Arlington, VA
$111K starting · COL 142.5
9 colleges
Norfolk, VA
$73K starting · COL 93
16 colleges
Richmond, VA
$78K starting · COL 100
11 colleges
Newport News, VA
$72K starting · COL 92.5
7 colleges
Alexandria, VA
$80K starting · COL 102
8 colleges
Roanoke, VA
$69K starting · COL 88.5
4 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Hampton
Petroleum Engineering
$49K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$49K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$80K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$49K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$78K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$78K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$49K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$49K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering Degree in Hampton — 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 Hampton.