Chemical Engineering Degree in Upper Darby, PA — Salary & ROI 2026
Chemical Engineering degree analysis for Upper Darby, PA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$77K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$113K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.7 yrs
in Upper Darby
Cost of Living
94.5
index (100 = avg)
Chemical Engineering in Upper Darby, PA Overview
While Upper Darby has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Chemical Engineering students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $14,171/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 Upper Darby is approximately $77,490.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$15,500/yr
Private Tuition
$42,000/yr
Room & Board
$14,171/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,595/yr
Unemployment
4.5%
Graduation Rate
70%
Chemical Engineering Salary in Upper Darby (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Upper Darby's cost of living index of 94.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Chemical Engineering salary: $82,000 starting, $120,000 mid-career, $150,000 senior level.Upper Darby adjustment factor: 0.94x based on the local cost of living index.
Chemical Engineering ROI Calculator for Upper Darby
Estimate your return on investment for a Chemical Engineering degree using local Upper Darby tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $15,500 | Private avg: $42,000
Upper Darby avg aid: $12,595/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$118,684
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$44,415
vs HS diploma in Upper Darby
ROI Payback Period
2.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Upper Darby
$873,566
Lifetime earnings premium ($992,250) minus total education cost ($118,684)
Student Loan Payoff for Chemical Engineering in Upper Darby
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Upper Darby for Chemical Engineering
Upper Darby State University
public
$16,192/yr
$64,768 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Upper Darby Community College
$5,336/yr
Top Employers for Chemical Engineering in Upper Darby
Upper Darby offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Chemical Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Upper Darby Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Chemical Engineering Job Titles
Chemical Engineering in Nearby Pennsylvania Cities
Philadelphia, PA
$123K starting · COL 150
42 colleges
Pittsburgh, PA
$94K starting · COL 115
12 colleges
Allentown, PA
$93K starting · COL 113
5 colleges
Reading, PA
$97K starting · COL 118
3 colleges
Erie, PA
$98K starting · COL 120
4 colleges
Scranton, PA
$98K starting · COL 120
8 colleges
Bethlehem, PA
$103K starting · COL 125
7 colleges
Lower Merion, PA
$75K starting · COL 91.4
3 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Upper Darby
Petroleum Engineering
$47K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$47K starting · 3 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$47K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$76K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$76K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$74K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$47K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$47K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering Degree in Upper Darby — 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 Upper Darby.