Environmental Engineering Degree in Chesapeake, VA — Salary & ROI 2026
Environmental Engineering degree analysis for Chesapeake, VA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$59K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$86K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
3.1 yrs
in Chesapeake
Cost of Living
91
index (100 = avg)
Environmental Engineering in Chesapeake, VA Overview
Chesapeake, Virginia (pop. 249,422) has 12 colleges offering Environmental Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 91 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $850/month. Environmental Engineering has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Water Treatment and Air Quality skills. The adjusted starting salary in Chesapeake is approximately $59,150.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
12
Public Tuition
$11,558/yr
Private Tuition
$19,500/yr
Room & Board
$9,787/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$9,853/yr
Unemployment
3.8%
Graduation Rate
67%
Environmental Engineering Salary in Chesapeake (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Chesapeake's cost of living index of 91 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Environmental Engineering salary: $65,000 starting, $95,000 mid-career, $120,000 senior level.Chesapeake adjustment factor: 0.91x based on the local cost of living index.
Environmental Engineering ROI Calculator for Chesapeake
Estimate your return on investment for a Environmental Engineering degree using local Chesapeake tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,558 | Private avg: $19,500
Chesapeake avg aid: $9,853/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$85,380
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$27,300
vs HS diploma in Chesapeake
ROI Payback Period
3.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Chesapeake
$597,120
Lifetime earnings premium ($682,500) minus total education cost ($85,380)
Student Loan Payoff for Environmental Engineering in Chesapeake
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Chesapeake for Environmental Engineering
South University Virginia Beach
private
$19,500/yr
$78,000 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Tidewater Community College Chesapeake
$5,340/yr
Top Employers for Environmental Engineering in Chesapeake
Chesapeake offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Environmental Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Chesapeake Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Environmental Engineering Job Titles
Environmental Engineering in Nearby Virginia Cities
Virginia Beach, VA
$57K starting · COL 88
13 colleges
Arlington, VA
$93K starting · COL 142.5
9 colleges
Norfolk, VA
$60K starting · COL 93
16 colleges
Richmond, VA
$65K starting · COL 100
11 colleges
Newport News, VA
$60K starting · COL 92.5
7 colleges
Alexandria, VA
$66K starting · COL 102
8 colleges
Hampton, VA
$63K starting · COL 97
7 colleges
Roanoke, VA
$58K starting · COL 88.5
4 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Chesapeake
Petroleum Engineering
$46K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$46K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$75K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$46K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$73K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$73K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$71K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$46K starting · 3 yr ROI
Environmental Engineering Degree in Chesapeake — 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 Chesapeake.