Chemical Engineering Degree in Medford, OR — Salary & ROI 2026
Chemical Engineering degree analysis for Medford, OR. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$91K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$133K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
1.9 yrs
in Medford
Cost of Living
111
index (100 = avg)
Chemical Engineering in Medford, OR Overview
While Medford has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Chemical Engineering students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $14,881/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 Medford is approximately $91,020.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$10,326/yr
Private Tuition
$41,865/yr
Room & Board
$14,881/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,464/yr
Unemployment
3.6%
Graduation Rate
67%
Chemical Engineering Salary in Medford (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Medford's cost of living index of 111 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Chemical Engineering salary: $82,000 starting, $120,000 mid-career, $150,000 senior level.Medford adjustment factor: 1.11x based on the local cost of living index.
Chemical Engineering ROI Calculator for Medford
Estimate your return on investment for a Chemical Engineering degree using local Medford tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,326 | Private avg: $41,865
Medford avg aid: $14,464/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$100,828
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$52,170
vs HS diploma in Medford
ROI Payback Period
1.9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Medford
$1,064,672
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,165,500) minus total education cost ($100,828)
Student Loan Payoff for Chemical Engineering in Medford
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Medford for Chemical Engineering
Southern Oregon University
public
$10,326/yr
$41,304 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Rogue Community College
$4,536/yr
Top Employers for Chemical Engineering in Medford
Medford offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Chemical Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Medford Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Chemical Engineering Job Titles
Chemical Engineering in Nearby Oregon Cities
Portland, OR
$92K starting · COL 112
24 colleges
Eugene, OR
$107K starting · COL 130
14 colleges
Salem, OR
$98K starting · COL 120
14 colleges
Gresham, OR
$90K starting · COL 110.2
5 colleges
Hillsboro, OR
$95K starting · COL 115.5
5 colleges
Bend, OR
$88K starting · COL 107
2 colleges
Beaverton, OR
$87K starting · COL 105.9
4 colleges
Springfield, OR
$99K starting · COL 120.3
3 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Medford
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
$89K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$89K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$87K 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 Medford — 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 Medford.