Mechanical Engineering Degree in Newport News, VA — Salary & ROI 2026
Mechanical Engineering degree analysis for Newport News, VA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$72K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$102K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.9 yrs
in Newport News
Cost of Living
92.5
index (100 = avg)
Mechanical Engineering in Newport News, VA Overview
Newport News, Virginia (pop. 186,247) has 7 colleges offering Mechanical Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 92.5 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $705/month. Mechanical Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in CAD and Thermodynamics. The adjusted starting salary in Newport News is approximately $72,150.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
7
Public Tuition
$14,200/yr
Private Tuition
$38,000/yr
Room & Board
$14,491/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$9,779/yr
Unemployment
2.2%
Graduation Rate
51%
Mechanical Engineering Salary in Newport News (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Newport News's cost of living index of 92.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Mechanical Engineering salary: $78,000 starting, $110,000 mid-career, $138,000 senior level.Newport News adjustment factor: 0.93x based on the local cost of living index.
Mechanical Engineering ROI Calculator for Newport News
Estimate your return on investment for a Mechanical Engineering degree using local Newport News tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,200 | Private avg: $38,000
Newport News avg aid: $9,779/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$114,764
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$39,775
vs HS diploma in Newport News
ROI Payback Period
2.9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Newport News
$763,986
Lifetime earnings premium ($878,750) minus total education cost ($114,764)
Student Loan Payoff for Mechanical Engineering in Newport News
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Newport News for Mechanical Engineering
Newport News State University
public
$13,266/yr
$53,064 total
University of Newport News
public
$15,083/yr
$60,332 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Newport News Community College
$5,242/yr
Top Employers for Mechanical Engineering in Newport News
Newport News offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Mechanical Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Newport News 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
Alexandria, VA
$80K starting · COL 102
8 colleges
Hampton, VA
$76K starting · COL 97
7 colleges
Roanoke, VA
$69K starting · COL 88.5
4 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Newport News
Petroleum Engineering
$46K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$46K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$76K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$46K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$74K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$74K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$46K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$46K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering Degree in Newport News — 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 Newport News.