Environmental Engineering Degree in Chandler, AZ — Salary & ROI 2026
Environmental Engineering degree analysis for Chandler, AZ. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$81K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$118K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.6 yrs
in Chandler
Cost of Living
124
index (100 = avg)
Environmental Engineering in Chandler, AZ Overview
Chandler is one of Arizona's top college towns, with 22 institutions and a student population of 21,913. Public tuition averages $9,605/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. Environmental Engineering has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Water Treatment and Air Quality skills. The adjusted starting salary in Chandler is approximately $80,600.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
22
Public Tuition
$9,605/yr
Private Tuition
$26,400/yr
Room & Board
$14,478/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,385/yr
Unemployment
3.2%
Graduation Rate
63%
Environmental Engineering Salary in Chandler (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Chandler's cost of living index of 124 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Environmental Engineering salary: $65,000 starting, $95,000 mid-career, $120,000 senior level.Chandler adjustment factor: 1.24x based on the local cost of living index.
Environmental Engineering ROI Calculator for Chandler
Estimate your return on investment for a Environmental Engineering degree using local Chandler tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $9,605 | Private avg: $26,400
Chandler avg aid: $11,385/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$96,332
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$37,200
vs HS diploma in Chandler
ROI Payback Period
2.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Chandler
$833,668
Lifetime earnings premium ($930,000) minus total education cost ($96,332)
Student Loan Payoff for Environmental Engineering in Chandler
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Chandler for Environmental Engineering
University of Advancing Technology
private
$26,400/yr
$105,600 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Chandler-Gilbert Community College
$2,580/yr
Top Employers for Environmental Engineering in Chandler
Chandler offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Environmental Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Chandler Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Environmental Engineering Job Titles
Environmental Engineering in Nearby Arizona Cities
Phoenix, AZ
$99K starting · COL 152
72 colleges
Tucson, AZ
$75K starting · COL 116
24 colleges
Mesa, AZ
$72K starting · COL 110
31 colleges
Gilbert, AZ
$77K starting · COL 119
26 colleges
Glendale, AZ
$68K starting · COL 105
16 colleges
Scottsdale, AZ
$82K starting · COL 126
16 colleges
Peoria, AZ
$67K starting · COL 103.8
7 colleges
Tempe, AZ
$73K starting · COL 113
5 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Chandler
Petroleum Engineering
$62K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$62K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$102K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$62K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$99K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$99K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$97K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$62K starting · 3 yr ROI
Environmental Engineering Degree in Chandler — 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 Environmental Engineering ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Chandler.