Chemical Engineering Degree in Lawrence, KS — Salary & ROI 2026
Chemical Engineering degree analysis for Lawrence, KS. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$89K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$130K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
1.5 yrs
in Lawrence
Cost of Living
108
index (100 = avg)
Chemical Engineering in Lawrence, KS Overview
While Lawrence has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Chemical Engineering students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $12,971/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 Lawrence is approximately $88,560.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$5,898/yr
Private Tuition
$33,400/yr
Room & Board
$12,971/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,187/yr
Unemployment
6.5%
Graduation Rate
53%
Chemical Engineering Salary in Lawrence (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Lawrence's cost of living index of 108 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Chemical Engineering salary: $82,000 starting, $120,000 mid-career, $150,000 senior level.Lawrence adjustment factor: 1.08x based on the local cost of living index.
Chemical Engineering ROI Calculator for Lawrence
Estimate your return on investment for a Chemical Engineering degree using local Lawrence tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $5,898 | Private avg: $33,400
Lawrence avg aid: $12,187/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$75,476
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$50,760
vs HS diploma in Lawrence
ROI Payback Period
1.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Lawrence
$1,058,524
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,134,000) minus total education cost ($75,476)
Student Loan Payoff for Chemical Engineering in Lawrence
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Lawrence for Chemical Engineering
University of Kansas
public
$11,166/yr
$44,664 total
Haskell Indian Nations University
public
$630/yr
$2,520 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Johnson County Community College
$3,564/yr
Top Employers for Chemical Engineering in Lawrence
Lawrence offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Chemical Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Lawrence Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Chemical Engineering Job Titles
Chemical Engineering in Nearby Kansas Cities
Wichita, KS
$85K starting · COL 104
20 colleges
Overland Park, KS
$84K starting · COL 103
13 colleges
Kansas City, KS
$68K starting · COL 82.5
6 colleges
Olathe, KS
$79K starting · COL 96.8
6 colleges
Topeka, KS
$69K starting · COL 84
14 colleges
Shawnee, KS
$71K starting · COL 86.5
3 colleges
Lenexa, KS
$79K starting · COL 96.2
3 colleges
Manhattan, KS
$78K starting · COL 95
6 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Lawrence
Petroleum Engineering
$54K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$54K starting · 3 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$54K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$86K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$86K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$84K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$54K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$54K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering Degree in Lawrence — 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 Lawrence.