Chemical Engineering Degree in Vancouver, WA — Salary & ROI 2026
Chemical Engineering degree analysis for Vancouver, WA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$89K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$130K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.1 yrs
in Vancouver
Cost of Living
108.5
index (100 = avg)
Chemical Engineering in Vancouver, WA Overview
Vancouver, Washington (pop. 190,915) has 7 colleges offering Chemical Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 108.5 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,260/month. Chemical Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Process Design and Thermodynamics. The adjusted starting salary in Vancouver is approximately $88,970.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
7
Public Tuition
$11,800/yr
Private Tuition
$40,000/yr
Room & Board
$15,054/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,206/yr
Unemployment
4%
Graduation Rate
61%
Chemical Engineering Salary in Vancouver (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Vancouver's cost of living index of 108.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Chemical Engineering salary: $82,000 starting, $120,000 mid-career, $150,000 senior level.Vancouver adjustment factor: 1.08x based on the local cost of living index.
Chemical Engineering ROI Calculator for Vancouver
Estimate your return on investment for a Chemical Engineering degree using local Vancouver tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,800 | Private avg: $40,000
Vancouver avg aid: $15,206/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$107,416
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$50,995
vs HS diploma in Vancouver
ROI Payback Period
2.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Vancouver
$1,031,834
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,139,250) minus total education cost ($107,416)
Student Loan Payoff for Chemical Engineering in Vancouver
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Vancouver for Chemical Engineering
Vancouver State University
public
$12,455/yr
$49,820 total
University of Vancouver
public
$11,321/yr
$45,284 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Vancouver Community College
$6,084/yr
Top Employers for Chemical Engineering in Vancouver
Vancouver offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Chemical Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Vancouver Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Chemical Engineering Job Titles
Chemical Engineering in Nearby Washington Cities
Seattle, WA
$98K starting · COL 120
16 colleges
Spokane, WA
$99K starting · COL 121
20 colleges
Tacoma, WA
$93K starting · COL 113
25 colleges
Bellevue, WA
$146K starting · COL 178.5
6 colleges
Kent, WA
$95K starting · COL 115.8
6 colleges
Everett, WA
$97K starting · COL 118.2
5 colleges
Renton, WA
$100K starting · COL 122.5
5 colleges
Spokane Valley, WA
$101K starting · COL 123.1
4 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Vancouver
Petroleum Engineering
$54K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$54K starting · 3 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$54K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$87K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$87K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$85K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$54K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$54K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering Degree in Vancouver — 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 Vancouver.