Chemical Engineering Degree in Akron, OH — Salary & ROI 2026
Chemical Engineering degree analysis for Akron, OH. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$86K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$126K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
1.6 yrs
in Akron
Cost of Living
105
index (100 = avg)
Chemical Engineering in Akron, OH Overview
While Akron has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Chemical Engineering students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $8,745/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Chemical Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Process Design and Thermodynamics. The adjusted starting salary in Akron is approximately $86,100.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$11,330/yr
Private Tuition
$45,325/yr
Room & Board
$8,745/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,336/yr
Unemployment
3.3%
Graduation Rate
72%
Chemical Engineering Salary in Akron (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Akron's cost of living index of 105 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Chemical Engineering salary: $82,000 starting, $120,000 mid-career, $150,000 senior level.Akron adjustment factor: 1.05x based on the local cost of living index.
Chemical Engineering ROI Calculator for Akron
Estimate your return on investment for a Chemical Engineering degree using local Akron tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,330 | Private avg: $45,325
Akron avg aid: $8,336/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$80,300
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$49,350
vs HS diploma in Akron
ROI Payback Period
1.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Akron
$1,022,200
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,102,500) minus total education cost ($80,300)
Student Loan Payoff for Chemical Engineering in Akron
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Akron for Chemical Engineering
University of Akron
public
$11,330/yr
$45,320 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Stark State College
$4,344/yr
Top Employers for Chemical Engineering in Akron
Akron offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Chemical Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Akron Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Chemical Engineering Job Titles
Chemical Engineering in Nearby Ohio Cities
Columbus, OH
$84K starting · COL 103
31 colleges
Cleveland, OH
$79K starting · COL 96
20 colleges
Cincinnati, OH
$84K starting · COL 102
28 colleges
Toledo, OH
$89K starting · COL 108
16 colleges
Dayton, OH
$85K starting · COL 104
9 colleges
Parma, OH
$74K starting · COL 90
4 colleges
Canton, OH
$69K starting · COL 84
4 colleges
Lorain, OH
$70K starting · COL 85.2
3 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Akron
Petroleum Engineering
$53K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$53K starting · 3 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$53K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$84K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$84K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$82K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$53K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$53K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering Degree in Akron — 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 Chemical Engineering ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Akron.