Mechanical Engineering Degree in Pueblo, CO — Salary & ROI 2026
Mechanical Engineering degree analysis for Pueblo, CO. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$95K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$134K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2 yrs
in Pueblo
Cost of Living
122
index (100 = avg)
Mechanical Engineering in Pueblo, CO Overview
Pueblo, Colorado (pop. 111,876) has 13 colleges offering Mechanical Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 122 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,055/month. Mechanical Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in CAD and Thermodynamics. The adjusted starting salary in Pueblo is approximately $95,160.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
13
Public Tuition
$10,380/yr
Private Tuition
$39,631/yr
Room & Board
$16,375/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$7,147/yr
Unemployment
5.6%
Graduation Rate
48%
Mechanical Engineering Salary in Pueblo (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Pueblo's cost of living index of 122 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Mechanical Engineering salary: $78,000 starting, $110,000 mid-career, $138,000 senior level.Pueblo adjustment factor: 1.22x based on the local cost of living index.
Mechanical Engineering ROI Calculator for Pueblo
Estimate your return on investment for a Mechanical Engineering degree using local Pueblo tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,380 | Private avg: $39,631
Pueblo avg aid: $7,147/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$107,020
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$52,460
vs HS diploma in Pueblo
ROI Payback Period
2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Pueblo
$1,051,980
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,159,000) minus total education cost ($107,020)
Student Loan Payoff for Mechanical Engineering in Pueblo
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Pueblo for Mechanical Engineering
Colorado State University-Pueblo
public
$10,380/yr
$41,520 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Pueblo Community College
$4,419/yr
Top Employers for Mechanical Engineering in Pueblo
Pueblo offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Mechanical Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Pueblo Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Mechanical Engineering Job Titles
Mechanical Engineering in Nearby Colorado Cities
Denver, CO
$100K starting · COL 128
31 colleges
Colorado Springs, CO
$95K starting · COL 122
22 colleges
Aurora, CO
$87K starting · COL 111
28 colleges
Fort Collins, CO
$98K starting · COL 126
5 colleges
Lakewood, CO
$83K starting · COL 105.8
6 colleges
Thornton, CO
$80K starting · COL 102.5
6 colleges
Arvada, CO
$82K starting · COL 105.5
5 colleges
Westminster, CO
$81K starting · COL 103.8
5 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Pueblo
Petroleum Engineering
$61K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$61K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$100K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$61K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$98K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$98K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$61K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$61K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering Degree in Pueblo — 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 Pueblo.