Chemistryat California State University-San Marcos
Graduates earn $49,382/yr in their first year — about 20.0% above the national Chemistry average. Base-case 10-year earnings $532K; scenarios range from $493K to $535K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at CSU San Marcos
At $49,382 per year, Chemistry graduates from California State University-San Marcos earn slightly above the $41,256 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.
The 17.2x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.
AI risk is moderate — 47% task exposure — and the 8% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
Ranked #91 out of 205 programs, California State University-San Marcos's Chemistry offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.
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 CSU San Marcos'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 CSU San Marcos stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at CSU San Marcos
Other highest-scoring programs offered at CSU San Marcos, 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 CSU San Marcos
How does California State University-San Marcos's Chemistry program score?
This program scores 59/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Chemistry graduates.
How vulnerable is Chemistry to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Chemistry careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 47% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.