Mechanical Engineering Degree in Kenosha, WI — Salary & ROI 2026
Mechanical Engineering degree analysis for Kenosha, WI. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$83K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$117K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
1.7 yrs
in Kenosha
Cost of Living
106
index (100 = avg)
Mechanical Engineering in Kenosha, WI Overview
Kenosha, Wisconsin (pop. 99,986) has 8 colleges offering Mechanical Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 106 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $668/month. Mechanical Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in CAD and Thermodynamics. The adjusted starting salary in Kenosha is approximately $82,680.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
8
Public Tuition
$7,620/yr
Private Tuition
$37,840/yr
Room & Board
$12,059/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,562/yr
Unemployment
4.6%
Graduation Rate
49%
Mechanical Engineering Salary in Kenosha (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Kenosha's cost of living index of 106 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Mechanical Engineering salary: $78,000 starting, $110,000 mid-career, $138,000 senior level.Kenosha adjustment factor: 1.06x based on the local cost of living index.
Mechanical Engineering ROI Calculator for Kenosha
Estimate your return on investment for a Mechanical Engineering degree using local Kenosha tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $7,620 | Private avg: $37,840
Kenosha avg aid: $15,562/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$78,716
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$45,580
vs HS diploma in Kenosha
ROI Payback Period
1.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Kenosha
$928,284
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,007,000) minus total education cost ($78,716)
Student Loan Payoff for Mechanical Engineering in Kenosha
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Kenosha for Mechanical Engineering
University of Wisconsin-Parkside
public
$7,620/yr
$30,480 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Gateway Technical College
$4,620/yr
Top Employers for Mechanical Engineering in Kenosha
Kenosha offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Mechanical Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Kenosha Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Mechanical Engineering Job Titles
Mechanical Engineering in Nearby Wisconsin Cities
Milwaukee, WI
$73K starting · COL 94
33 colleges
Madison, WI
$69K starting · COL 89
11 colleges
Green Bay, WI
$67K starting · COL 86
6 colleges
Racine, WI
$67K starting · COL 85.8
4 colleges
Appleton, WI
$62K starting · COL 79
6 colleges
Waukesha, WI
$71K starting · COL 90.5
3 colleges
Eau Claire, WI
$67K starting · COL 86
2 colleges
Oshkosh, WI
$83K starting · COL 107
3 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Kenosha
Petroleum Engineering
$53K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$53K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$87K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$53K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$85K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$85K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$53K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$53K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering Degree in Kenosha — 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 Kenosha.