Chemical Engineering Degree in Dearborn, MI — Salary & ROI 2026
Chemical Engineering degree analysis for Dearborn, MI. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$74K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$109K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.6 yrs
in Dearborn
Cost of Living
90.5
index (100 = avg)
Chemical Engineering in Dearborn, MI Overview
While Dearborn has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Chemical Engineering students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $12,567/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 Dearborn is approximately $74,210.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$15,400/yr
Private Tuition
$32,000/yr
Room & Board
$12,567/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,314/yr
Unemployment
4.9%
Graduation Rate
57%
Chemical Engineering Salary in Dearborn (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Dearborn's cost of living index of 90.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Chemical Engineering salary: $82,000 starting, $120,000 mid-career, $150,000 senior level.Dearborn adjustment factor: 0.91x based on the local cost of living index.
Chemical Engineering ROI Calculator for Dearborn
Estimate your return on investment for a Chemical Engineering degree using local Dearborn tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $15,400 | Private avg: $32,000
Dearborn avg aid: $8,314/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$111,868
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$42,535
vs HS diploma in Dearborn
ROI Payback Period
2.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Dearborn
$838,382
Lifetime earnings premium ($950,250) minus total education cost ($111,868)
Student Loan Payoff for Chemical Engineering in Dearborn
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Dearborn for Chemical Engineering
Dearborn State University
public
$14,575/yr
$58,300 total
University of Dearborn
public
$15,869/yr
$63,476 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Dearborn Community College
$5,650/yr
Top Employers for Chemical Engineering in Dearborn
Dearborn offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Chemical Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Dearborn Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Chemical Engineering Job Titles
Chemical Engineering in Nearby Michigan Cities
Detroit, MI
$71K starting · COL 87
43 colleges
Grand Rapids, MI
$72K starting · COL 88
10 colleges
Warren, MI
$73K starting · COL 88.5
6 colleges
Sterling Heights, MI
$76K starting · COL 92.8
5 colleges
Ann Arbor, MI
$70K starting · COL 85
14 colleges
Lansing, MI
$70K starting · COL 85
6 colleges
Clinton Township, MI
$79K starting · COL 96.2
4 colleges
Canton Township, MI
$77K starting · COL 93.5
4 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Dearborn
Petroleum Engineering
$45K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$45K starting · 3 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
Mechanical Engineering
$71K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$45K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$45K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering Degree in Dearborn — 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 Dearborn.