Mechanical Engineering Degree in Modesto, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Mechanical Engineering degree analysis for Modesto, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$101K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$143K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
1.4 yrs
in Modesto
Cost of Living
130
index (100 = avg)
Mechanical Engineering in Modesto, CA Overview
Modesto, California (pop. 218,464) has 9 colleges offering Mechanical Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 130 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,224/month. Mechanical Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in CAD and Thermodynamics. The adjusted starting salary in Modesto is approximately $101,400.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
9
Public Tuition
$1,540/yr
Private Tuition
$57,167/yr
Room & Board
$18,295/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$10,378/yr
Unemployment
4.2%
Graduation Rate
63%
Mechanical Engineering Salary in Modesto (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Modesto's cost of living index of 130 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Mechanical Engineering salary: $78,000 starting, $110,000 mid-career, $138,000 senior level.Modesto adjustment factor: 1.30x based on the local cost of living index.
Mechanical Engineering ROI Calculator for Modesto
Estimate your return on investment for a Mechanical Engineering degree using local Modesto tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $1,540 | Private avg: $57,167
Modesto avg aid: $10,378/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$79,340
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$55,900
vs HS diploma in Modesto
ROI Payback Period
1.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Modesto
$1,155,660
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,235,000) minus total education cost ($79,340)
Student Loan Payoff for Mechanical Engineering in Modesto
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Modesto for Mechanical Engineering
Modesto Junior College
public
$1,540/yr
$6,160 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Modesto Junior College
$1,540/yr
Top Employers for Mechanical Engineering in Modesto
Modesto offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Mechanical Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Modesto Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Mechanical Engineering Job Titles
Mechanical Engineering in Nearby California Cities
Los Angeles, CA
$110K starting · COL 141
69 colleges
San Diego, CA
$109K starting · COL 140
68 colleges
San Jose, CA
$101K starting · COL 129
95 colleges
San Francisco, CA
$89K starting · COL 114
22 colleges
Fresno, CA
$92K starting · COL 118
37 colleges
Sacramento, CA
$87K starting · COL 112
38 colleges
Long Beach, CA
$90K starting · COL 116
14 colleges
Oakland, CA
$103K starting · COL 132
13 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Modesto
Petroleum Engineering
$65K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$65K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$107K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$65K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$104K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$104K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$65K starting · 3 yr ROI
Architectural Engineering
$101K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering Degree in Modesto — 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 Modesto.