Chemical Engineering Degree in Racine, WI — Salary & ROI 2026
Chemical Engineering degree analysis for Racine, WI. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$70K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$103K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.3 yrs
in Racine
Cost of Living
85.8
index (100 = avg)
Chemical Engineering in Racine, WI Overview
While Racine has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Chemical Engineering students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $12,562/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 Racine is approximately $70,356.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$10,600/yr
Private Tuition
$34,000/yr
Room & Board
$12,562/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,051/yr
Unemployment
2.1%
Graduation Rate
72%
Chemical Engineering Salary in Racine (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Racine's cost of living index of 85.8 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Chemical Engineering salary: $82,000 starting, $120,000 mid-career, $150,000 senior level.Racine adjustment factor: 0.86x based on the local cost of living index.
Chemical Engineering ROI Calculator for Racine
Estimate your return on investment for a Chemical Engineering degree using local Racine tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,600 | Private avg: $34,000
Racine avg aid: $8,051/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$92,648
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$40,326
vs HS diploma in Racine
ROI Payback Period
2.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Racine
$808,252
Lifetime earnings premium ($900,900) minus total education cost ($92,648)
Student Loan Payoff for Chemical Engineering in Racine
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Racine for Chemical Engineering
Racine State University
public
$11,121/yr
$44,484 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Racine Community College
$5,143/yr
Top Employers for Chemical Engineering in Racine
Racine offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Chemical Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Racine 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
Madison, WI
$73K starting · COL 89
11 colleges
Green Bay, WI
$71K starting · COL 86
6 colleges
Kenosha, WI
$87K starting · COL 106
8 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 Racine
Petroleum Engineering
$43K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$43K starting · 3 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$43K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$69K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$69K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$67K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$43K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$43K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering Degree in Racine — 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 Racine.