Mechanical Engineering Degree in Norfolk, VA — Salary & ROI 2026
Mechanical Engineering degree analysis for Norfolk, VA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$73K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$102K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2 yrs
in Norfolk
Cost of Living
93
index (100 = avg)
Mechanical Engineering in Norfolk, VA Overview
Norfolk, Virginia (pop. 238,005) has 16 colleges offering Mechanical Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 93 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $956/month. Mechanical Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in CAD and Thermodynamics. The adjusted starting salary in Norfolk is approximately $72,540.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
16
Public Tuition
$10,571/yr
Private Tuition
$25,348/yr
Room & Board
$9,443/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,816/yr
Unemployment
4.6%
Graduation Rate
49%
Mechanical Engineering Salary in Norfolk (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Norfolk's cost of living index of 93 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Mechanical Engineering salary: $78,000 starting, $110,000 mid-career, $138,000 senior level.Norfolk adjustment factor: 0.93x based on the local cost of living index.
Mechanical Engineering ROI Calculator for Norfolk
Estimate your return on investment for a Mechanical Engineering degree using local Norfolk tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,571 | Private avg: $25,348
Norfolk avg aid: $15,816/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$80,056
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$39,990
vs HS diploma in Norfolk
ROI Payback Period
2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Norfolk
$803,444
Lifetime earnings premium ($883,500) minus total education cost ($80,056)
Student Loan Payoff for Mechanical Engineering in Norfolk
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Norfolk for Mechanical Engineering
Old Dominion University
public
$11,210/yr
$44,840 total
Norfolk State University
public
$9,932/yr
$39,728 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Tidewater Community College Norfolk
$5,340/yr
Top Employers for Mechanical Engineering in Norfolk
Norfolk offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Mechanical Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Norfolk 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
Richmond, VA
$78K starting · COL 100
11 colleges
Newport News, VA
$72K starting · COL 92.5
7 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 Norfolk
Petroleum Engineering
$47K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$47K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$76K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$47K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$74K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$74K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$47K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$47K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering Degree in Norfolk — 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 Norfolk.