Chemistryat California State University-Los Angeles
Graduates earn $44,944/yr in their first year — about 9.0% above the national Chemistry average. Base-case 10-year earnings $505K; scenarios range from $474K to $506K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Cal State LA
California State University-Los Angeles's Chemistry graduates start at $44,944/yr — above the $41,256 national average, though not by a wide margin.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 18.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Chemistry programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Chemistry's typical career paths, with 47% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 6% gap from the optimistic case.
Ranked #103 of 205 Chemistry programs, California State University-Los Angeles falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Cal State LA's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Chemistry
How Cal State LA stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Cal State LA
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Cal State LA, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Chemistry offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Chemistry trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Chemistry at Cal State LA
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Chemistry at California State University-Los Angeles?
This program scores 57/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Chemistry programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Will AI replace Chemistry careers?
With 47% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $473,701 in decade earnings vs $505,545 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.