Environmental Engineering Degree in Murfreesboro, TN — Salary & ROI 2026
Environmental Engineering degree analysis for Murfreesboro, TN. 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
3.4 yrs
in Murfreesboro
Cost of Living
91
index (100 = avg)
Environmental Engineering in Murfreesboro, TN Overview
Murfreesboro, Tennessee (pop. 152,769) has 10 colleges offering Environmental Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 91 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,003/month. Environmental Engineering has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Water Treatment and Air Quality skills. The adjusted starting salary in Murfreesboro is approximately $59,150.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
10
Public Tuition
$9,312/yr
Private Tuition
$43,809/yr
Room & Board
$13,946/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$16,072/yr
Unemployment
5.4%
Graduation Rate
53%
Environmental Engineering Salary in Murfreesboro (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Murfreesboro'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.Murfreesboro adjustment factor: 0.91x based on the local cost of living index.
Environmental Engineering ROI Calculator for Murfreesboro
Estimate your return on investment for a Environmental Engineering degree using local Murfreesboro tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $9,312 | Private avg: $43,809
Murfreesboro avg aid: $16,072/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$93,032
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$27,300
vs HS diploma in Murfreesboro
ROI Payback Period
3.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Murfreesboro
$589,468
Lifetime earnings premium ($682,500) minus total education cost ($93,032)
Student Loan Payoff for Environmental Engineering in Murfreesboro
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Murfreesboro for Environmental Engineering
Middle Tennessee State University
public
$9,312/yr
$37,248 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Motlow State Community College
$4,320/yr
Top Employers for Environmental Engineering in Murfreesboro
Murfreesboro offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Environmental Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Murfreesboro Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Environmental Engineering Job Titles
Environmental Engineering in Nearby Tennessee Cities
Nashville, TN
$60K starting · COL 92
35 colleges
Memphis, TN
$60K starting · COL 93
22 colleges
Knoxville, TN
$55K starting · COL 85
5 colleges
Chattanooga, TN
$52K starting · COL 80
5 colleges
Clarksville, TN
$59K starting · COL 90
9 colleges
Franklin, TN
$77K starting · COL 118.5
4 colleges
Jackson, TN
$54K starting · COL 82.5
3 colleges
Johnson City, TN
$68K starting · COL 105
6 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Murfreesboro
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 Murfreesboro — 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 Murfreesboro.