Chemical Engineering Degree in Jackson, MS — Salary & ROI 2026
Chemical Engineering degree analysis for Jackson, MS. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$76K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$112K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2 yrs
in Jackson
Cost of Living
93
index (100 = avg)
Chemical Engineering in Jackson, MS Overview
Jackson, Mississippi (pop. 153,701) has 11 colleges offering Chemical Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 93 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $855/month. Chemical Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Process Design and Thermodynamics. The adjusted starting salary in Jackson is approximately $76,260.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
11
Public Tuition
$8,684/yr
Private Tuition
$27,400/yr
Room & Board
$12,839/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,629/yr
Unemployment
4.6%
Graduation Rate
62%
Chemical Engineering Salary in Jackson (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Jackson's cost of living index of 93 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Chemical Engineering salary: $82,000 starting, $120,000 mid-career, $150,000 senior level.Jackson adjustment factor: 0.93x based on the local cost of living index.
Chemical Engineering ROI Calculator for Jackson
Estimate your return on investment for a Chemical Engineering degree using local Jackson tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,684 | Private avg: $27,400
Jackson avg aid: $14,629/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$86,092
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$43,710
vs HS diploma in Jackson
ROI Payback Period
2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Jackson
$890,408
Lifetime earnings premium ($976,500) minus total education cost ($86,092)
Student Loan Payoff for Chemical Engineering in Jackson
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Jackson for Chemical Engineering
Jackson State University
public
$8,684/yr
$34,736 total
Belhaven University
private
$27,400/yr
$109,600 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Hinds Community College
$3,300/yr
Top Employers for Chemical Engineering in Jackson
Jackson offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Chemical Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Jackson Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Chemical Engineering Job Titles
Chemical Engineering in Nearby Mississippi Cities
Other Engineering Majors in Jackson
Petroleum Engineering
$47K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$47K starting · 3 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$47K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$74K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$74K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$73K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$47K starting · 3 yr ROI
Architectural Engineering
$73K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering Degree in Jackson — 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 Jackson.