Chemical Engineering Degree in Fresno, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Chemical Engineering degree analysis for Fresno, CA. 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
1.7 yrs
in Fresno
Cost of Living
118
index (100 = avg)
Chemical Engineering in Fresno, CA Overview
Fresno is one of California's top college towns, with 37 institutions and a student population of 23,836. Public tuition averages $7,302/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 Fresno is approximately $96,760.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
37
Public Tuition
$7,302/yr
Private Tuition
$24,820/yr
Room & Board
$16,283/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,988/yr
Unemployment
6.5%
Graduation Rate
65%
Chemical Engineering Salary in Fresno (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Fresno's cost of living index of 118 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Chemical Engineering salary: $82,000 starting, $120,000 mid-career, $150,000 senior level.Fresno adjustment factor: 1.18x based on the local cost of living index.
Chemical Engineering ROI Calculator for Fresno
Estimate your return on investment for a Chemical Engineering degree using local Fresno tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $7,302 | Private avg: $24,820
Fresno avg aid: $12,988/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$94,340
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$55,460
vs HS diploma in Fresno
ROI Payback Period
1.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Fresno
$1,144,660
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,239,000) minus total education cost ($94,340)
Student Loan Payoff for Chemical Engineering in Fresno
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Fresno for Chemical Engineering
California State University, Fresno
public
$7,302/yr
$29,208 total
Fresno Pacific University
private
$36,320/yr
$145,280 total
National University Fresno
private
$13,320/yr
$53,280 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Fresno City College
$1,540/yr
Top Employers for Chemical Engineering in Fresno
Fresno offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Chemical Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Fresno Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Chemical Engineering Job Titles
Chemical Engineering in Nearby California Cities
Los Angeles, CA
$116K starting · COL 141
69 colleges
San Diego, CA
$115K starting · COL 140
68 colleges
San Jose, CA
$106K starting · COL 129
95 colleges
San Francisco, CA
$93K starting · COL 114
22 colleges
Sacramento, CA
$92K starting · COL 112
38 colleges
Long Beach, CA
$95K starting · COL 116
14 colleges
Oakland, CA
$108K starting · COL 132
13 colleges
Bakersfield, CA
$110K starting · COL 134
18 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Fresno
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
$94K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$94K 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 Fresno — 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 Fresno.