Chemical Engineering Degree in Gresham, OR — Salary & ROI 2026
Chemical Engineering degree analysis for Gresham, OR. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$90K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$132K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2 yrs
in Gresham
Cost of Living
110.2
index (100 = avg)
Chemical Engineering in Gresham, OR Overview
While Gresham has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Chemical Engineering students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $13,788/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 Gresham is approximately $90,364.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$12,400/yr
Private Tuition
$38,000/yr
Room & Board
$13,788/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,238/yr
Unemployment
3.9%
Graduation Rate
75%
Chemical Engineering Salary in Gresham (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Gresham's cost of living index of 110.2 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Chemical Engineering salary: $82,000 starting, $120,000 mid-career, $150,000 senior level.Gresham adjustment factor: 1.10x based on the local cost of living index.
Chemical Engineering ROI Calculator for Gresham
Estimate your return on investment for a Chemical Engineering degree using local Gresham tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,400 | Private avg: $38,000
Gresham avg aid: $11,238/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$104,752
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$51,794
vs HS diploma in Gresham
ROI Payback Period
2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Gresham
$1,052,348
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,157,100) minus total education cost ($104,752)
Student Loan Payoff for Chemical Engineering in Gresham
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Gresham for Chemical Engineering
Gresham State University
public
$11,604/yr
$46,416 total
University of Gresham
public
$12,019/yr
$48,076 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Gresham Community College
$5,463/yr
Top Employers for Chemical Engineering in Gresham
Gresham offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Chemical Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Gresham Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Chemical Engineering Job Titles
Chemical Engineering in Nearby Oregon Cities
Portland, OR
$92K starting · COL 112
24 colleges
Eugene, OR
$107K starting · COL 130
14 colleges
Salem, OR
$98K starting · COL 120
14 colleges
Hillsboro, OR
$95K starting · COL 115.5
5 colleges
Bend, OR
$88K starting · COL 107
2 colleges
Beaverton, OR
$87K starting · COL 105.9
4 colleges
Medford, OR
$91K starting · COL 111
4 colleges
Springfield, OR
$99K starting · COL 120.3
3 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Gresham
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
$88K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$88K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$86K 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 Gresham — 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 Gresham.