Chemical Engineering Degree in Lowell, MA — Salary & ROI 2026
Chemical Engineering degree analysis for Lowell, MA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$92K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$135K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.3 yrs
in Lowell
Cost of Living
112.5
index (100 = avg)
Chemical Engineering in Lowell, MA Overview
While Lowell has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Chemical Engineering students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $14,748/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 Lowell is approximately $92,250.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$16,100/yr
Private Tuition
$48,000/yr
Room & Board
$14,748/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,502/yr
Unemployment
3%
Graduation Rate
73%
Chemical Engineering Salary in Lowell (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Lowell's cost of living index of 112.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Chemical Engineering salary: $82,000 starting, $120,000 mid-career, $150,000 senior level.Lowell adjustment factor: 1.13x based on the local cost of living index.
Chemical Engineering ROI Calculator for Lowell
Estimate your return on investment for a Chemical Engineering degree using local Lowell tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $16,100 | Private avg: $48,000
Lowell avg aid: $14,502/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$123,392
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$52,875
vs HS diploma in Lowell
ROI Payback Period
2.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Lowell
$1,057,858
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,181,250) minus total education cost ($123,392)
Student Loan Payoff for Chemical Engineering in Lowell
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Lowell for Chemical Engineering
Lowell State University
public
$16,448/yr
$65,792 total
University of Lowell
public
$18,005/yr
$72,020 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Lowell Community College
$6,184/yr
Top Employers for Chemical Engineering in Lowell
Lowell offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Chemical Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Lowell Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Chemical Engineering Job Titles
Chemical Engineering in Nearby Massachusetts Cities
Boston, MA
$112K starting · COL 137
24 colleges
Worcester, MA
$96K starting · COL 117
11 colleges
Springfield, MA
$109K starting · COL 133
6 colleges
Cambridge, MA
$109K starting · COL 133
6 colleges
Brockton, MA
$89K starting · COL 108.5
5 colleges
Quincy, MA
$105K starting · COL 128.5
4 colleges
New Bedford, MA
$84K starting · COL 102.5
4 colleges
Lynn, MA
$97K starting · COL 118.5
4 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Lowell
Petroleum Engineering
$56K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$56K starting · 3 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$56K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$90K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$90K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$88K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$56K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$56K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering Degree in Lowell — 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 Lowell.