Chemical Engineering Degree in Madison, WI — Salary & ROI 2026
Chemical Engineering degree analysis for Madison, WI. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$73K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$107K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.2 yrs
in Madison
Cost of Living
89
index (100 = avg)
Chemical Engineering in Madison, WI Overview
Madison, Wisconsin (pop. 269,840) has 11 colleges offering Chemical Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 89 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $902/month. Chemical Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Process Design and Thermodynamics. The adjusted starting salary in Madison is approximately $72,980.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
11
Public Tuition
$10,725/yr
Private Tuition
$33,350/yr
Room & Board
$11,942/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,815/yr
Unemployment
5.7%
Graduation Rate
73%
Chemical Engineering Salary in Madison (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Madison's cost of living index of 89 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Chemical Engineering salary: $82,000 starting, $120,000 mid-career, $150,000 senior level.Madison adjustment factor: 0.89x based on the local cost of living index.
Chemical Engineering ROI Calculator for Madison
Estimate your return on investment for a Chemical Engineering degree using local Madison tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,725 | Private avg: $33,350
Madison avg aid: $15,815/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$90,668
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$41,830
vs HS diploma in Madison
ROI Payback Period
2.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Madison
$843,832
Lifetime earnings premium ($934,500) minus total education cost ($90,668)
Student Loan Payoff for Chemical Engineering in Madison
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Madison for Chemical Engineering
University of Wisconsin-Madison
public
$10,725/yr
$42,900 total
Edgewood College
private
$33,350/yr
$133,400 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Madison Area Technical College
$4,632/yr
Top Employers for Chemical Engineering in Madison
Madison offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Chemical Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Madison Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Chemical Engineering Job Titles
Chemical Engineering in Nearby Wisconsin Cities
Milwaukee, WI
$77K starting · COL 94
33 colleges
Green Bay, WI
$71K starting · COL 86
6 colleges
Kenosha, WI
$87K starting · COL 106
8 colleges
Racine, WI
$70K starting · COL 85.8
4 colleges
Appleton, WI
$65K starting · COL 79
6 colleges
Waukesha, WI
$74K starting · COL 90.5
3 colleges
Eau Claire, WI
$71K starting · COL 86
2 colleges
Oshkosh, WI
$88K starting · COL 107
3 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Madison
Petroleum Engineering
$45K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$45K starting · 3 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$45K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$71K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$71K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$69K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$45K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$45K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering Degree in Madison — 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 Madison.