Chemical Engineering Degree in Franklin, TN — Salary & ROI 2026
Chemical Engineering degree analysis for Franklin, TN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$97K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$142K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
1.9 yrs
in Franklin
Cost of Living
118.5
index (100 = avg)
Chemical Engineering in Franklin, TN Overview
While Franklin has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Chemical Engineering students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $15,807/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 Franklin is approximately $97,170.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$10,100/yr
Private Tuition
$32,000/yr
Room & Board
$15,807/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,962/yr
Unemployment
3.6%
Graduation Rate
56%
Chemical Engineering Salary in Franklin (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Franklin's cost of living index of 118.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Chemical Engineering salary: $82,000 starting, $120,000 mid-career, $150,000 senior level.Franklin adjustment factor: 1.19x based on the local cost of living index.
Chemical Engineering ROI Calculator for Franklin
Estimate your return on investment for a Chemical Engineering degree using local Franklin tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,100 | Private avg: $32,000
Franklin avg aid: $15,962/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$103,628
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$55,695
vs HS diploma in Franklin
ROI Payback Period
1.9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Franklin
$1,140,622
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,244,250) minus total education cost ($103,628)
Student Loan Payoff for Chemical Engineering in Franklin
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Franklin for Chemical Engineering
Franklin State University
public
$10,603/yr
$42,412 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Franklin Community College
$5,615/yr
Top Employers for Chemical Engineering in Franklin
Franklin offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Chemical Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Franklin Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Chemical Engineering Job Titles
Chemical Engineering in Nearby Tennessee Cities
Nashville, TN
$75K starting · COL 92
35 colleges
Memphis, TN
$76K starting · COL 93
22 colleges
Knoxville, TN
$70K starting · COL 85
5 colleges
Chattanooga, TN
$66K starting · COL 80
5 colleges
Clarksville, TN
$74K starting · COL 90
9 colleges
Murfreesboro, TN
$75K starting · COL 91
10 colleges
Jackson, TN
$68K starting · COL 82.5
3 colleges
Johnson City, TN
$86K starting · COL 105
6 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Franklin
Petroleum Engineering
$59K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$59K starting · 3 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$59K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$95K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$95K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$92K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$59K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$59K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering Degree in Franklin — 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 Franklin.