Chemical Engineering Degree in Aurora, IL — Salary & ROI 2026
Chemical Engineering degree analysis for Aurora, IL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$76K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$111K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.7 yrs
in Aurora
Cost of Living
92.8
index (100 = avg)
Chemical Engineering in Aurora, IL Overview
Aurora, Illinois (pop. 180,542) has 7 colleges offering Chemical Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 92.8 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $780/month. Chemical Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Process Design and Thermodynamics. The adjusted starting salary in Aurora is approximately $76,096.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
7
Public Tuition
$15,400/yr
Private Tuition
$38,000/yr
Room & Board
$13,856/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,682/yr
Unemployment
4.6%
Graduation Rate
65%
Chemical Engineering Salary in Aurora (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Aurora's cost of living index of 92.8 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Chemical Engineering salary: $82,000 starting, $120,000 mid-career, $150,000 senior level.Aurora adjustment factor: 0.93x based on the local cost of living index.
Chemical Engineering ROI Calculator for Aurora
Estimate your return on investment for a Chemical Engineering degree using local Aurora tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $15,400 | Private avg: $38,000
Aurora avg aid: $14,682/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$117,024
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$43,616
vs HS diploma in Aurora
ROI Payback Period
2.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Aurora
$857,376
Lifetime earnings premium ($974,400) minus total education cost ($117,024)
Student Loan Payoff for Chemical Engineering in Aurora
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Aurora for Chemical Engineering
Aurora State University
public
$14,742/yr
$58,968 total
University of Aurora
public
$15,345/yr
$61,380 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Aurora Community College
$5,489/yr
Top Employers for Chemical Engineering in Aurora
Aurora offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Chemical Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Aurora Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Chemical Engineering Job Titles
Chemical Engineering in Nearby Illinois Cities
Chicago, IL
$89K starting · COL 109
98 colleges
Joliet, IL
$89K starting · COL 108
12 colleges
Naperville, IL
$84K starting · COL 102
13 colleges
Rockford, IL
$74K starting · COL 90
8 colleges
Elgin, IL
$65K starting · COL 79
13 colleges
Springfield, IL
$75K starting · COL 92
9 colleges
Peoria, IL
$85K starting · COL 104
5 colleges
Waukegan, IL
$74K starting · COL 90.3
4 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Aurora
Petroleum Engineering
$46K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$46K starting · 3 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$46K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$74K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$74K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$72K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$46K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$46K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering Degree in Aurora — 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 Aurora.