Mechanical Engineering Degree in Tucson, AZ — Salary & ROI 2026
Mechanical Engineering degree analysis for Tucson, AZ. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$90K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$128K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.1 yrs
in Tucson
Cost of Living
116
index (100 = avg)
Mechanical Engineering in Tucson, AZ Overview
Tucson is one of Arizona's top college towns, with 24 institutions and a student population of 21,782. Public tuition averages $7,664/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. Mechanical Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in CAD and Thermodynamics. The adjusted starting salary in Tucson is approximately $90,480.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
24
Public Tuition
$7,664/yr
Private Tuition
$31,536/yr
Room & Board
$18,163/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,106/yr
Unemployment
3.7%
Graduation Rate
67%
Mechanical Engineering Salary in Tucson (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Tucson's cost of living index of 116 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Mechanical Engineering salary: $78,000 starting, $110,000 mid-career, $138,000 senior level.Tucson adjustment factor: 1.16x based on the local cost of living index.
Mechanical Engineering ROI Calculator for Tucson
Estimate your return on investment for a Mechanical Engineering degree using local Tucson tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $7,664 | Private avg: $31,536
Tucson avg aid: $14,106/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$103,308
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$49,880
vs HS diploma in Tucson
ROI Payback Period
2.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Tucson
$998,692
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,102,000) minus total education cost ($103,308)
Student Loan Payoff for Mechanical Engineering in Tucson
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Tucson for Mechanical Engineering
University of Arizona
public
$12,748/yr
$50,992 total
Pima Community College
public
$2,580/yr
$10,320 total
Prescott College
private
$31,536/yr
$126,144 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Pima Community College
$2,580/yr
Top Employers for Mechanical Engineering in Tucson
Tucson offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Mechanical Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Tucson 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
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
Tempe, AZ
$88K starting · COL 113
5 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Tucson
Petroleum Engineering
$58K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$58K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$95K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$58K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$93K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$93K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$58K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$58K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering Degree in Tucson — 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 Tucson.