Chemical Engineering Degree in Des Moines, IA — Salary & ROI 2026
Chemical Engineering degree analysis for Des Moines, IA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$75K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$110K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
1.6 yrs
in Des Moines
Cost of Living
92
index (100 = avg)
Chemical Engineering in Des Moines, IA Overview
Des Moines, Iowa (pop. 214,133) has 10 colleges offering Chemical Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 92 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $975/month. Chemical Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Process Design and Thermodynamics. The adjusted starting salary in Des Moines is approximately $75,440.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
10
Public Tuition
$8,977/yr
Private Tuition
$38,388/yr
Room & Board
$8,658/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$9,739/yr
Unemployment
6.9%
Graduation Rate
56%
Chemical Engineering Salary in Des Moines (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Des Moines's cost of living index of 92 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Chemical Engineering salary: $82,000 starting, $120,000 mid-career, $150,000 senior level.Des Moines adjustment factor: 0.92x based on the local cost of living index.
Chemical Engineering ROI Calculator for Des Moines
Estimate your return on investment for a Chemical Engineering degree using local Des Moines tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,977 | Private avg: $38,388
Des Moines avg aid: $9,739/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$70,540
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$43,240
vs HS diploma in Des Moines
ROI Payback Period
1.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Des Moines
$895,460
Lifetime earnings premium ($966,000) minus total education cost ($70,540)
Student Loan Payoff for Chemical Engineering in Des Moines
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Des Moines for Chemical Engineering
Drake University
private
$45,520/yr
$182,080 total
Grand View University
private
$31,256/yr
$125,024 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Des Moines Area Community College
$5,064/yr
Top Employers for Chemical Engineering in Des Moines
Des Moines offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Chemical Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Des Moines Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Chemical Engineering Job Titles
Chemical Engineering in Nearby Iowa Cities
Cedar Rapids, IA
$82K starting · COL 100
4 colleges
Davenport, IA
$65K starting · COL 79
6 colleges
Sioux City, IA
$69K starting · COL 84
2 colleges
Iowa City, IA
$78K starting · COL 95.2
3 colleges
West Des Moines, IA
$80K starting · COL 97.5
3 colleges
Ankeny, IA
$79K starting · COL 95.8
3 colleges
Waterloo, IA
$68K starting · COL 82.5
3 colleges
Ames, IA
$71K starting · COL 87
8 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Des Moines
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
Architectural Engineering
$72K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering Degree in Des Moines — 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 Des Moines.