Mechanical Engineering Degree in Saint Paul, MN — Salary & ROI 2026
Mechanical Engineering degree analysis for Saint Paul, MN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$79K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$112K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.5 yrs
in Saint Paul
Cost of Living
101.5
index (100 = avg)
Mechanical Engineering in Saint Paul, MN Overview
Saint Paul, Minnesota (pop. 311,527) has 11 colleges offering Mechanical Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 101.5 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $795/month. Mechanical Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in CAD and Thermodynamics. The adjusted starting salary in Saint Paul is approximately $79,170.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
11
Public Tuition
$14,200/yr
Private Tuition
$38,000/yr
Room & Board
$13,171/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,478/yr
Unemployment
2.9%
Graduation Rate
47%
Mechanical Engineering Salary in Saint Paul (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Saint Paul's cost of living index of 101.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Mechanical Engineering salary: $78,000 starting, $110,000 mid-career, $138,000 senior level.Saint Paul adjustment factor: 1.01x based on the local cost of living index.
Mechanical Engineering ROI Calculator for Saint Paul
Estimate your return on investment for a Mechanical Engineering degree using local Saint Paul tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,200 | Private avg: $38,000
Saint Paul avg aid: $13,478/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$109,484
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$43,645
vs HS diploma in Saint Paul
ROI Payback Period
2.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Saint Paul
$854,766
Lifetime earnings premium ($964,250) minus total education cost ($109,484)
Student Loan Payoff for Mechanical Engineering in Saint Paul
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Saint Paul for Mechanical Engineering
Saint Paul State University
public
$13,811/yr
$55,244 total
University of Saint Paul
public
$13,351/yr
$53,404 total
Saint Paul Institute of Technology
private
$43,387/yr
$173,548 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Saint Paul Community College
$5,443/yr
Minnesota Technical College - Saint Paul
$5,156/yr
Top Employers for Mechanical Engineering in Saint Paul
Saint Paul offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Mechanical Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Saint Paul 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
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
Plymouth, MN
$84K starting · COL 107.3
4 colleges
Maple Grove, MN
$84K starting · COL 107.4
4 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Saint Paul
Petroleum Engineering
$51K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$51K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$83K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$51K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$81K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$81K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$51K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$51K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering Degree in Saint Paul — 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 Saint Paul.