Mechanical Engineering Degree in Lawrence, KS — Salary & ROI 2026
Mechanical Engineering degree analysis for Lawrence, KS. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$84K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$119K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
1.6 yrs
in Lawrence
Cost of Living
108
index (100 = avg)
Mechanical Engineering in Lawrence, KS Overview
While Lawrence has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Mechanical Engineering students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $12,971/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 Lawrence is approximately $84,240.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$5,898/yr
Private Tuition
$33,400/yr
Room & Board
$12,971/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,187/yr
Unemployment
6.5%
Graduation Rate
53%
Mechanical Engineering Salary in Lawrence (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Lawrence's cost of living index of 108 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Mechanical Engineering salary: $78,000 starting, $110,000 mid-career, $138,000 senior level.Lawrence adjustment factor: 1.08x based on the local cost of living index.
Mechanical Engineering ROI Calculator for Lawrence
Estimate your return on investment for a Mechanical Engineering degree using local Lawrence tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $5,898 | Private avg: $33,400
Lawrence avg aid: $12,187/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$75,476
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$46,440
vs HS diploma in Lawrence
ROI Payback Period
1.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Lawrence
$950,524
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,026,000) minus total education cost ($75,476)
Student Loan Payoff for Mechanical Engineering in Lawrence
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Lawrence for Mechanical Engineering
University of Kansas
public
$11,166/yr
$44,664 total
Haskell Indian Nations University
public
$630/yr
$2,520 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Johnson County Community College
$3,564/yr
Top Employers for Mechanical Engineering in Lawrence
Lawrence offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Mechanical Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Lawrence Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Mechanical Engineering Job Titles
Mechanical Engineering in Nearby Kansas Cities
Wichita, KS
$81K starting · COL 104
20 colleges
Overland Park, KS
$80K starting · COL 103
13 colleges
Kansas City, KS
$64K starting · COL 82.5
6 colleges
Olathe, KS
$76K starting · COL 96.8
6 colleges
Topeka, KS
$66K starting · COL 84
14 colleges
Shawnee, KS
$67K starting · COL 86.5
3 colleges
Lenexa, KS
$75K starting · COL 96.2
3 colleges
Manhattan, KS
$74K starting · COL 95
6 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Lawrence
Petroleum Engineering
$54K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$54K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$89K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$54K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$86K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$86K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$54K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$54K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering Degree in Lawrence — 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 Lawrence.