Mechanical Engineering Degree in Overland Park, KS — Salary & ROI 2026
Mechanical Engineering degree analysis for Overland Park, KS. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$80K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$113K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
1.4 yrs
in Overland Park
Cost of Living
103
index (100 = avg)
Mechanical Engineering in Overland Park, KS Overview
Overland Park, Kansas (pop. 197,238) has 13 colleges offering Mechanical Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 103 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,092/month. Mechanical Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in CAD and Thermodynamics. The adjusted starting salary in Overland Park is approximately $80,340.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
13
Public Tuition
$3,564/yr
Private Tuition
$48,279/yr
Room & Board
$11,548/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$9,390/yr
Unemployment
6%
Graduation Rate
54%
Mechanical Engineering Salary in Overland Park (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Overland Park's cost of living index of 103 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Mechanical Engineering salary: $78,000 starting, $110,000 mid-career, $138,000 senior level.Overland Park adjustment factor: 1.03x based on the local cost of living index.
Mechanical Engineering ROI Calculator for Overland Park
Estimate your return on investment for a Mechanical Engineering degree using local Overland Park tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $3,564 | Private avg: $48,279
Overland Park avg aid: $9,390/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$60,448
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$44,290
vs HS diploma in Overland Park
ROI Payback Period
1.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Overland Park
$918,052
Lifetime earnings premium ($978,500) minus total education cost ($60,448)
Student Loan Payoff for Mechanical Engineering in Overland Park
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Overland Park for Mechanical Engineering
Johnson County Community College
public
$3,564/yr
$14,256 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Johnson County Community College
$3,564/yr
Top Employers for Mechanical Engineering in Overland Park
Overland Park offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Mechanical Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Overland Park 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
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
Lawrence, KS
$84K starting · COL 108
5 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 Overland Park
Petroleum Engineering
$52K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$52K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$84K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$52K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$82K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$82K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$52K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$52K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering Degree in Overland Park — 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 Overland Park.