Chemical Engineering Degree in Richmond, VA — Salary & ROI 2026
Chemical Engineering degree analysis for Richmond, VA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$82K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$120K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.2 yrs
in Richmond
Cost of Living
100
index (100 = avg)
Chemical Engineering in Richmond, VA Overview
Richmond, Virginia (pop. 226,610) has 11 colleges offering Chemical Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 100 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $737/month. Chemical Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Process Design and Thermodynamics. The adjusted starting salary in Richmond is approximately $82,000.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
11
Public Tuition
$14,676/yr
Private Tuition
$58,570/yr
Room & Board
$10,932/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$9,068/yr
Unemployment
5.7%
Graduation Rate
65%
Chemical Engineering Salary in Richmond (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Richmond's cost of living index of 100 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Chemical Engineering salary: $82,000 starting, $120,000 mid-career, $150,000 senior level.Richmond adjustment factor: 1.00x based on the local cost of living index.
Chemical Engineering ROI Calculator for Richmond
Estimate your return on investment for a Chemical Engineering degree using local Richmond tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,676 | Private avg: $58,570
Richmond avg aid: $9,068/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$102,432
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$47,000
vs HS diploma in Richmond
ROI Payback Period
2.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Richmond
$947,568
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,050,000) minus total education cost ($102,432)
Student Loan Payoff for Chemical Engineering in Richmond
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Richmond for Chemical Engineering
Virginia Commonwealth University
public
$14,676/yr
$58,704 total
University of Richmond
private
$58,570/yr
$234,280 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Reynolds Community College
$5,340/yr
Top Employers for Chemical Engineering in Richmond
Richmond offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Chemical Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Richmond Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Chemical Engineering Job Titles
Chemical Engineering in Nearby Virginia Cities
Virginia Beach, VA
$72K starting · COL 88
13 colleges
Chesapeake, VA
$75K starting · COL 91
12 colleges
Arlington, VA
$117K starting · COL 142.5
9 colleges
Norfolk, VA
$76K starting · COL 93
16 colleges
Newport News, VA
$76K starting · COL 92.5
7 colleges
Alexandria, VA
$84K starting · COL 102
8 colleges
Hampton, VA
$80K starting · COL 97
7 colleges
Roanoke, VA
$73K starting · COL 88.5
4 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Richmond
Petroleum Engineering
$50K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$50K starting · 3 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$50K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$80K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$80K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$78K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$50K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$50K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering Degree in Richmond — 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 Richmond.