Mechanical Engineering Degree in Waukegan, IL — Salary & ROI 2026
Mechanical Engineering degree analysis for Waukegan, IL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$70K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$99K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
3 yrs
in Waukegan
Cost of Living
90.3
index (100 = avg)
Mechanical Engineering in Waukegan, IL Overview
While Waukegan has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Mechanical Engineering students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $13,641/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 Waukegan is approximately $70,434.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$15,400/yr
Private Tuition
$38,000/yr
Room & Board
$13,641/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,734/yr
Unemployment
5.1%
Graduation Rate
74%
Mechanical Engineering Salary in Waukegan (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Waukegan's cost of living index of 90.3 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Mechanical Engineering salary: $78,000 starting, $110,000 mid-career, $138,000 senior level.Waukegan adjustment factor: 0.90x based on the local cost of living index.
Mechanical Engineering ROI Calculator for Waukegan
Estimate your return on investment for a Mechanical Engineering degree using local Waukegan tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $15,400 | Private avg: $38,000
Waukegan avg aid: $13,734/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$116,164
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$38,829
vs HS diploma in Waukegan
ROI Payback Period
3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Waukegan
$741,686
Lifetime earnings premium ($857,850) minus total education cost ($116,164)
Student Loan Payoff for Mechanical Engineering in Waukegan
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Waukegan for Mechanical Engineering
Waukegan State University
public
$15,619/yr
$62,476 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Waukegan Community College
$4,848/yr
Top Employers for Mechanical Engineering in Waukegan
Waukegan offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Mechanical Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Waukegan Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Mechanical Engineering Job Titles
Mechanical Engineering in Nearby Illinois Cities
Chicago, IL
$85K starting · COL 109
98 colleges
Aurora, IL
$72K starting · COL 92.8
7 colleges
Joliet, IL
$84K starting · COL 108
12 colleges
Naperville, IL
$80K starting · COL 102
13 colleges
Rockford, IL
$70K starting · COL 90
8 colleges
Elgin, IL
$62K starting · COL 79
13 colleges
Springfield, IL
$72K starting · COL 92
9 colleges
Peoria, IL
$81K starting · COL 104
5 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Waukegan
Petroleum Engineering
$45K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$45K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$74K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$45K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$72K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$72K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$45K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$45K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering Degree in Waukegan — 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 Waukegan.