Chemical Engineering Degree in Tulsa, OK — Salary & ROI 2026
Chemical Engineering degree analysis for Tulsa, OK. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$69K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$101K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
1.7 yrs
in Tulsa
Cost of Living
84
index (100 = avg)
Chemical Engineering in Tulsa, OK Overview
Tulsa, Oklahoma (pop. 413,066) has 15 colleges offering Chemical Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 84 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $1,113/month. Chemical Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Process Design and Thermodynamics. The adjusted starting salary in Tulsa is approximately $68,880.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
15
Public Tuition
$6,582/yr
Private Tuition
$38,753/yr
Room & Board
$10,330/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$7,592/yr
Unemployment
4.1%
Graduation Rate
64%
Chemical Engineering Salary in Tulsa (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Tulsa's cost of living index of 84 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Chemical Engineering salary: $82,000 starting, $120,000 mid-career, $150,000 senior level.Tulsa adjustment factor: 0.84x based on the local cost of living index.
Chemical Engineering ROI Calculator for Tulsa
Estimate your return on investment for a Chemical Engineering degree using local Tulsa tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $6,582 | Private avg: $38,753
Tulsa avg aid: $7,592/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$67,648
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$39,480
vs HS diploma in Tulsa
ROI Payback Period
1.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Tulsa
$814,352
Lifetime earnings premium ($882,000) minus total education cost ($67,648)
Student Loan Payoff for Chemical Engineering in Tulsa
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Tulsa for Chemical Engineering
University of Tulsa
private
$44,726/yr
$178,904 total
Oral Roberts University
private
$32,780/yr
$131,120 total
Oklahoma State University-Tulsa
public
$6,582/yr
$26,328 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Tulsa Community College
$3,558/yr
Top Employers for Chemical Engineering in Tulsa
Tulsa offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Chemical Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Tulsa Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Chemical Engineering Job Titles
Chemical Engineering in Nearby Oklahoma Cities
Oklahoma City, OK
$80K starting · COL 97
37 colleges
Norman, OK
$71K starting · COL 86
10 colleges
Broken Arrow, OK
$75K starting · COL 91.8
5 colleges
Edmond, OK
$78K starting · COL 95.2
4 colleges
Lawton, OK
$68K starting · COL 82.5
4 colleges
Moore, OK
$73K starting · COL 89.3
3 colleges
Midwest City, OK
$75K starting · COL 91.1
3 colleges
Stillwater, OK
$72K starting · COL 87.3
3 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Tulsa
Petroleum Engineering
$42K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$42K starting · 3 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$42K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$67K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$67K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$66K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$42K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$42K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering Degree in Tulsa — 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 Tulsa.