Chemical Engineering Degree in Tempe, AZ — Salary & ROI 2026
Chemical Engineering degree analysis for Tempe, AZ. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$93K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$136K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.4 yrs
in Tempe
Cost of Living
113
index (100 = avg)
Chemical Engineering in Tempe, AZ Overview
While Tempe has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Chemical Engineering students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $19,552/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 Tempe is approximately $92,660.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$12,467/yr
Private Tuition
$40,205/yr
Room & Board
$19,552/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,200/yr
Unemployment
6.9%
Graduation Rate
73%
Chemical Engineering Salary in Tempe (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Tempe's cost of living index of 113 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Chemical Engineering salary: $82,000 starting, $120,000 mid-career, $150,000 senior level.Tempe adjustment factor: 1.13x based on the local cost of living index.
Chemical Engineering ROI Calculator for Tempe
Estimate your return on investment for a Chemical Engineering degree using local Tempe tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,467 | Private avg: $40,205
Tempe avg aid: $15,200/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$128,076
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$53,110
vs HS diploma in Tempe
ROI Payback Period
2.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Tempe
$1,058,424
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,186,500) minus total education cost ($128,076)
Student Loan Payoff for Chemical Engineering in Tempe
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Tempe for Chemical Engineering
Arizona State University
public
$12,467/yr
$49,868 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Rio Salado College
$2,580/yr
Top Employers for Chemical Engineering in Tempe
Tempe offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Chemical Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Tempe Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Chemical Engineering Job Titles
Chemical Engineering in Nearby Arizona Cities
Phoenix, AZ
$125K starting · COL 152
72 colleges
Tucson, AZ
$95K starting · COL 116
24 colleges
Mesa, AZ
$90K starting · COL 110
31 colleges
Chandler, AZ
$102K starting · COL 124
22 colleges
Gilbert, AZ
$98K starting · COL 119
26 colleges
Glendale, AZ
$86K starting · COL 105
16 colleges
Scottsdale, AZ
$103K starting · COL 126
16 colleges
Peoria, AZ
$85K starting · COL 103.8
7 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Tempe
Petroleum Engineering
$57K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$57K starting · 3 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$57K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$90K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$90K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$88K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$57K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$57K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering Degree in Tempe — 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 Tempe.