Chemical Engineering Degree in Knoxville, TN — Salary & ROI 2026
Chemical Engineering degree analysis for Knoxville, TN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$70K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$102K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
1.9 yrs
in Knoxville
Cost of Living
85
index (100 = avg)
Chemical Engineering in Knoxville, TN Overview
While Knoxville has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Chemical Engineering students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $10,300/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 Knoxville is approximately $69,700.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$8,792/yr
Private Tuition
$47,660/yr
Room & Board
$10,300/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$10,344/yr
Unemployment
6.6%
Graduation Rate
47%
Chemical Engineering Salary in Knoxville (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Knoxville's cost of living index of 85 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Chemical Engineering salary: $82,000 starting, $120,000 mid-career, $150,000 senior level.Knoxville adjustment factor: 0.85x based on the local cost of living index.
Chemical Engineering ROI Calculator for Knoxville
Estimate your return on investment for a Chemical Engineering degree using local Knoxville tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,792 | Private avg: $47,660
Knoxville avg aid: $10,344/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$76,368
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$39,950
vs HS diploma in Knoxville
ROI Payback Period
1.9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Knoxville
$816,132
Lifetime earnings premium ($892,500) minus total education cost ($76,368)
Student Loan Payoff for Chemical Engineering in Knoxville
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Knoxville for Chemical Engineering
University of Tennessee
public
$13,264/yr
$53,056 total
Pellissippi State Community College
public
$4,320/yr
$17,280 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Pellissippi State Community College
$4,320/yr
Top Employers for Chemical Engineering in Knoxville
Knoxville offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Chemical Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Knoxville 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
Chattanooga, TN
$66K starting · COL 80
5 colleges
Clarksville, TN
$74K starting · COL 90
9 colleges
Murfreesboro, TN
$75K starting · COL 91
10 colleges
Franklin, TN
$97K starting · COL 118.5
4 colleges
Jackson, TN
$68K starting · COL 82.5
3 colleges
Johnson City, TN
$86K starting · COL 105
6 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Knoxville
Petroleum Engineering
$43K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$43K starting · 3 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$43K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$68K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$68K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$66K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$43K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$43K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering Degree in Knoxville — 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 Knoxville.