Environmental Engineering Degree in Frederick, MD — Salary & ROI 2026
Environmental Engineering degree analysis for Frederick, MD. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$73K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$107K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
3.1 yrs
in Frederick
Cost of Living
112.5
index (100 = avg)
Environmental Engineering in Frederick, MD Overview
While Frederick has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Environmental Engineering students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $15,475/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Environmental Engineering has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Water Treatment and Air Quality skills. The adjusted starting salary in Frederick is approximately $73,125.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$10,800/yr
Private Tuition
$42,000/yr
Room & Board
$15,475/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,491/yr
Unemployment
4.2%
Graduation Rate
66%
Environmental Engineering Salary in Frederick (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Frederick's cost of living index of 112.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Environmental Engineering salary: $65,000 starting, $95,000 mid-career, $120,000 senior level.Frederick adjustment factor: 1.13x based on the local cost of living index.
Environmental Engineering ROI Calculator for Frederick
Estimate your return on investment for a Environmental Engineering degree using local Frederick tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,800 | Private avg: $42,000
Frederick avg aid: $13,491/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$105,100
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$33,750
vs HS diploma in Frederick
ROI Payback Period
3.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Frederick
$738,650
Lifetime earnings premium ($843,750) minus total education cost ($105,100)
Student Loan Payoff for Environmental Engineering in Frederick
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Frederick for Environmental Engineering
Frederick State University
public
$11,147/yr
$44,588 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Frederick Community College
$6,149/yr
Top Employers for Environmental Engineering in Frederick
Frederick offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Environmental Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Frederick Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Environmental Engineering Job Titles
Environmental Engineering in Nearby Maryland Cities
Baltimore, MD
$85K starting · COL 130
22 colleges
Columbia, MD
$83K starting · COL 127.2
4 colleges
Silver Spring, MD
$80K starting · COL 122.5
4 colleges
Waldorf, MD
$78K starting · COL 120.7
4 colleges
Ellicott City, MD
$74K starting · COL 114.2
3 colleges
Glen Burnie, MD
$71K starting · COL 108.8
3 colleges
Rockville, MD
$84K starting · COL 128.5
3 colleges
Bethesda, MD
$76K starting · COL 116.7
3 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Frederick
Petroleum Engineering
$56K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$56K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$92K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$56K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$90K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$90K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$88K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$56K starting · 3 yr ROI
Environmental Engineering Degree in Frederick — 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 Frederick.