Mechanical Engineering Degree in Irving, TX — Salary & ROI 2026
Mechanical Engineering degree analysis for Irving, TX. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$81K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$114K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
1.7 yrs
in Irving
Cost of Living
104
index (100 = avg)
Mechanical Engineering in Irving, TX Overview
Irving is one of Texas's top college towns, with 23 institutions and a student population of 13,394. Public tuition averages $7,612/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 Irving is approximately $81,120.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
23
Public Tuition
$7,612/yr
Private Tuition
$44,780/yr
Room & Board
$11,777/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,860/yr
Unemployment
5.2%
Graduation Rate
47%
Mechanical Engineering Salary in Irving (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Irving's cost of living index of 104 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Mechanical Engineering salary: $78,000 starting, $110,000 mid-career, $138,000 senior level.Irving adjustment factor: 1.04x based on the local cost of living index.
Mechanical Engineering ROI Calculator for Irving
Estimate your return on investment for a Mechanical Engineering degree using local Irving tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $7,612 | Private avg: $44,780
Irving avg aid: $12,860/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$77,556
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$44,720
vs HS diploma in Irving
ROI Payback Period
1.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Irving
$910,444
Lifetime earnings premium ($988,000) minus total education cost ($77,556)
Student Loan Payoff for Mechanical Engineering in Irving
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Irving for Mechanical Engineering
University of Dallas
private
$44,780/yr
$179,120 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
North Lake College
$2,220/yr
Top Employers for Mechanical Engineering in Irving
Irving offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Mechanical Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Irving 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 Irving
Petroleum Engineering
$52K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$52K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$85K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$52K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$83K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$83K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$52K starting · 3 yr ROI
Architectural Engineering
$81K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering Degree in Irving — 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 Irving.