Chemical Engineering Degree in Murfreesboro, TN — Salary & ROI 2026
Chemical Engineering degree analysis for Murfreesboro, TN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$75K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$109K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.2 yrs
in Murfreesboro
Cost of Living
91
index (100 = avg)
Chemical Engineering in Murfreesboro, TN Overview
Murfreesboro, Tennessee (pop. 152,769) has 10 colleges offering Chemical Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 91 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,003/month. Chemical Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Process Design and Thermodynamics. The adjusted starting salary in Murfreesboro is approximately $74,620.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
10
Public Tuition
$9,312/yr
Private Tuition
$43,809/yr
Room & Board
$13,946/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$16,072/yr
Unemployment
5.4%
Graduation Rate
53%
Chemical Engineering Salary in Murfreesboro (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Murfreesboro's cost of living index of 91 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Chemical Engineering salary: $82,000 starting, $120,000 mid-career, $150,000 senior level.Murfreesboro adjustment factor: 0.91x based on the local cost of living index.
Chemical Engineering ROI Calculator for Murfreesboro
Estimate your return on investment for a Chemical Engineering degree using local Murfreesboro tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $9,312 | Private avg: $43,809
Murfreesboro avg aid: $16,072/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$93,032
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$42,770
vs HS diploma in Murfreesboro
ROI Payback Period
2.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Murfreesboro
$862,468
Lifetime earnings premium ($955,500) minus total education cost ($93,032)
Student Loan Payoff for Chemical Engineering in Murfreesboro
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Murfreesboro for Chemical Engineering
Middle Tennessee State University
public
$9,312/yr
$37,248 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Motlow State Community College
$4,320/yr
Top Employers for Chemical Engineering in Murfreesboro
Murfreesboro offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Chemical Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Murfreesboro 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
Knoxville, TN
$70K starting · COL 85
5 colleges
Chattanooga, TN
$66K starting · COL 80
5 colleges
Clarksville, TN
$74K starting · COL 90
9 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 Murfreesboro
Petroleum Engineering
$46K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$46K starting · 3 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$46K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$73K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$73K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$71K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$46K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$46K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering Degree in Murfreesboro — 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 Murfreesboro.