Environmental Engineering Degree in Waukegan, IL — Salary & ROI 2026
Environmental Engineering degree analysis for Waukegan, IL. 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
4.3 yrs
in Waukegan
Cost of Living
90.3
index (100 = avg)
Environmental Engineering in Waukegan, IL Overview
While Waukegan has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Environmental Engineering students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $13,641/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 Waukegan is approximately $58,695.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$15,400/yr
Private Tuition
$38,000/yr
Room & Board
$13,641/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,734/yr
Unemployment
5.1%
Graduation Rate
74%
Environmental Engineering Salary in Waukegan (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Waukegan's cost of living index of 90.3 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Environmental Engineering salary: $65,000 starting, $95,000 mid-career, $120,000 senior level.Waukegan adjustment factor: 0.90x based on the local cost of living index.
Environmental Engineering ROI Calculator for Waukegan
Estimate your return on investment for a Environmental Engineering degree using local Waukegan tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $15,400 | Private avg: $38,000
Waukegan avg aid: $13,734/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$116,164
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$27,090
vs HS diploma in Waukegan
ROI Payback Period
4.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Waukegan
$561,086
Lifetime earnings premium ($677,250) minus total education cost ($116,164)
Student Loan Payoff for Environmental Engineering in Waukegan
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Waukegan for Environmental Engineering
Waukegan State University
public
$15,619/yr
$62,476 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Waukegan Community College
$4,848/yr
Top Employers for Environmental Engineering in Waukegan
Waukegan offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Environmental Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Waukegan Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Environmental Engineering Job Titles
Environmental Engineering in Nearby Illinois Cities
Chicago, IL
$71K starting · COL 109
98 colleges
Aurora, IL
$60K starting · COL 92.8
7 colleges
Joliet, IL
$70K starting · COL 108
12 colleges
Naperville, IL
$66K starting · COL 102
13 colleges
Rockford, IL
$59K starting · COL 90
8 colleges
Elgin, IL
$51K starting · COL 79
13 colleges
Springfield, IL
$60K starting · COL 92
9 colleges
Peoria, IL
$68K starting · COL 104
5 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Waukegan
Petroleum Engineering
$45K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$45K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$74K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$45K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$72K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$72K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$70K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$45K starting · 3 yr ROI
Environmental Engineering Degree in Waukegan — 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 Waukegan.