Mechanical Engineering Degree in Racine, WI — Salary & ROI 2026
Mechanical Engineering degree analysis for Racine, WI. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$67K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$94K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.5 yrs
in Racine
Cost of Living
85.8
index (100 = avg)
Mechanical Engineering in Racine, WI Overview
While Racine has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Mechanical Engineering students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $12,562/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 Racine is approximately $66,924.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$10,600/yr
Private Tuition
$34,000/yr
Room & Board
$12,562/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,051/yr
Unemployment
2.1%
Graduation Rate
72%
Mechanical Engineering Salary in Racine (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Racine's cost of living index of 85.8 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Mechanical Engineering salary: $78,000 starting, $110,000 mid-career, $138,000 senior level.Racine adjustment factor: 0.86x based on the local cost of living index.
Mechanical Engineering ROI Calculator for Racine
Estimate your return on investment for a Mechanical Engineering degree using local Racine tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,600 | Private avg: $34,000
Racine avg aid: $8,051/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$92,648
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$36,894
vs HS diploma in Racine
ROI Payback Period
2.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Racine
$722,452
Lifetime earnings premium ($815,100) minus total education cost ($92,648)
Student Loan Payoff for Mechanical Engineering in Racine
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Racine for Mechanical Engineering
Racine State University
public
$11,121/yr
$44,484 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Racine Community College
$5,143/yr
Top Employers for Mechanical Engineering in Racine
Racine offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Mechanical Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Racine Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Mechanical Engineering Job Titles
Mechanical Engineering in Nearby Wisconsin Cities
Milwaukee, WI
$73K starting · COL 94
33 colleges
Madison, WI
$69K starting · COL 89
11 colleges
Green Bay, WI
$67K starting · COL 86
6 colleges
Kenosha, WI
$83K starting · COL 106
8 colleges
Appleton, WI
$62K starting · COL 79
6 colleges
Waukesha, WI
$71K starting · COL 90.5
3 colleges
Eau Claire, WI
$67K starting · COL 86
2 colleges
Oshkosh, WI
$83K starting · COL 107
3 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Racine
Petroleum Engineering
$43K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$43K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$70K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$43K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$69K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$69K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$43K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$43K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering Degree in Racine — 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 Racine.