Mechanical Engineering Degree in Tempe, AZ — Salary & ROI 2026
Mechanical Engineering degree analysis for Tempe, AZ. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$88K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$124K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.6 yrs
in Tempe
Cost of Living
113
index (100 = avg)
Mechanical Engineering in Tempe, AZ Overview
While Tempe has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Mechanical Engineering students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $19,552/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 Tempe is approximately $88,140.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$12,467/yr
Private Tuition
$40,205/yr
Room & Board
$19,552/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,200/yr
Unemployment
6.9%
Graduation Rate
73%
Mechanical Engineering Salary in Tempe (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Tempe's cost of living index of 113 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Mechanical Engineering salary: $78,000 starting, $110,000 mid-career, $138,000 senior level.Tempe adjustment factor: 1.13x based on the local cost of living index.
Mechanical Engineering ROI Calculator for Tempe
Estimate your return on investment for a Mechanical Engineering degree using local Tempe tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,467 | Private avg: $40,205
Tempe avg aid: $15,200/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$128,076
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$48,590
vs HS diploma in Tempe
ROI Payback Period
2.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Tempe
$945,424
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,073,500) minus total education cost ($128,076)
Student Loan Payoff for Mechanical Engineering in Tempe
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Tempe for Mechanical Engineering
Arizona State University
public
$12,467/yr
$49,868 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Rio Salado College
$2,580/yr
Top Employers for Mechanical Engineering in Tempe
Tempe offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Mechanical Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Tempe Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Mechanical Engineering Job Titles
Mechanical Engineering in Nearby Arizona Cities
Phoenix, AZ
$119K starting · COL 152
72 colleges
Tucson, AZ
$90K starting · COL 116
24 colleges
Mesa, AZ
$86K starting · COL 110
31 colleges
Chandler, AZ
$97K starting · COL 124
22 colleges
Gilbert, AZ
$93K starting · COL 119
26 colleges
Glendale, AZ
$82K starting · COL 105
16 colleges
Scottsdale, AZ
$98K starting · COL 126
16 colleges
Peoria, AZ
$81K starting · COL 103.8
7 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Tempe
Petroleum Engineering
$57K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$57K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$93K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$57K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$90K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$90K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$57K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$57K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering Degree in Tempe — 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 Tempe.