Chemical Engineering Degree in Durham, NC — Salary & ROI 2026
Chemical Engineering degree analysis for Durham, NC. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$89K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$131K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
1.6 yrs
in Durham
Cost of Living
109
index (100 = avg)
Chemical Engineering in Durham, NC Overview
Durham is one of North Carolina's top college towns, with 25 institutions and a student population of 56,021. Public tuition averages $6,477/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. Chemical Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Process Design and Thermodynamics. The adjusted starting salary in Durham is approximately $89,380.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
25
Public Tuition
$6,477/yr
Private Tuition
$62,688/yr
Room & Board
$14,101/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,850/yr
Unemployment
5.9%
Graduation Rate
54%
Chemical Engineering Salary in Durham (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Durham's cost of living index of 109 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Chemical Engineering salary: $82,000 starting, $120,000 mid-career, $150,000 senior level.Durham adjustment factor: 1.09x based on the local cost of living index.
Chemical Engineering ROI Calculator for Durham
Estimate your return on investment for a Chemical Engineering degree using local Durham tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $6,477 | Private avg: $62,688
Durham avg aid: $13,850/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$82,312
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$51,230
vs HS diploma in Durham
ROI Payback Period
1.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Durham
$1,062,188
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,144,500) minus total education cost ($82,312)
Student Loan Payoff for Chemical Engineering in Durham
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Durham for Chemical Engineering
Duke University
private
$62,688/yr
$250,752 total
North Carolina Central University
public
$6,477/yr
$25,908 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Durham Technical Community College
$2,864/yr
Top Employers for Chemical Engineering in Durham
Durham offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Chemical Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Durham Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Chemical Engineering Job Titles
Chemical Engineering in Nearby North Carolina Cities
Charlotte, NC
$73K starting · COL 89
39 colleges
Raleigh, NC
$68K starting · COL 83
21 colleges
Greensboro, NC
$75K starting · COL 91
17 colleges
Winston-Salem, NC
$87K starting · COL 106
26 colleges
Fayetteville, NC
$74K starting · COL 90
15 colleges
Cary, NC
$89K starting · COL 108.5
7 colleges
Wilmington, NC
$78K starting · COL 95
5 colleges
High Point, NC
$69K starting · COL 84.5
5 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Durham
Petroleum Engineering
$55K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$55K starting · 3 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$55K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$87K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$87K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$85K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$55K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$55K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering Degree in Durham — 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 Durham.