Mechanical Engineering Degree in Plymouth, MN — Salary & ROI 2026
Mechanical Engineering degree analysis for Plymouth, MN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$84K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$118K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.5 yrs
in Plymouth
Cost of Living
107.3
index (100 = avg)
Mechanical Engineering in Plymouth, MN Overview
While Plymouth has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Mechanical Engineering students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $14,754/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 Plymouth is approximately $83,694.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$14,200/yr
Private Tuition
$38,000/yr
Room & Board
$14,754/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$10,061/yr
Unemployment
3.4%
Graduation Rate
71%
Mechanical Engineering Salary in Plymouth (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Plymouth's cost of living index of 107.3 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Mechanical Engineering salary: $78,000 starting, $110,000 mid-career, $138,000 senior level.Plymouth adjustment factor: 1.07x based on the local cost of living index.
Mechanical Engineering ROI Calculator for Plymouth
Estimate your return on investment for a Mechanical Engineering degree using local Plymouth tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,200 | Private avg: $38,000
Plymouth avg aid: $10,061/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$115,816
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$46,139
vs HS diploma in Plymouth
ROI Payback Period
2.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Plymouth
$903,534
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,019,350) minus total education cost ($115,816)
Student Loan Payoff for Mechanical Engineering in Plymouth
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Plymouth for Mechanical Engineering
Plymouth State University
public
$14,111/yr
$56,444 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Plymouth Community College
$6,023/yr
Top Employers for Mechanical Engineering in Plymouth
Plymouth offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Mechanical Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Plymouth Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Mechanical Engineering Job Titles
Mechanical Engineering in Nearby Minnesota Cities
Minneapolis, MN
$76K starting · COL 97
15 colleges
Saint Paul, MN
$79K starting · COL 101.5
11 colleges
St. Paul, MN
$84K starting · COL 108
20 colleges
Rochester, MN
$82K starting · COL 105
8 colleges
Duluth, MN
$78K starting · COL 100
5 colleges
Bloomington, MN
$78K starting · COL 100.2
4 colleges
Brooklyn Park, MN
$77K starting · COL 98.8
4 colleges
Maple Grove, MN
$84K starting · COL 107.4
4 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Plymouth
Petroleum Engineering
$54K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$54K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$88K 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 Plymouth — 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 Plymouth.