Chemistry at Drexel University

Philadelphia, PA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
56 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
57
Optimistic
56
Base Case
52
Pessimistic
Earnings $49,215/yr (19% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (169,700 openings/yr)
ROI 3.2x earnings multiple
Ranked #114 of 205 Chemistry programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Chemistry graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $804K $785K $675K
Earnings Multiple 3.3x 3.2x 2.8x
Probability of Field Employment 57% 54% 38%
DegreeOutlook Score 57 56 52

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$242,652
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$153,712
37% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$29,667
7.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$88,515
80% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $49,215 per year, Chemistry graduates from Drexel University earn slightly above the $41,256 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

An earnings multiple of 3.2x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.

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 16% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $29,667 represents roughly 7 months of the $49,215 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #114 of 205 Chemistry programs, Drexel University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $88,515 show a 80% jump from the $49,215 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Drexel University

With 78% of applicants admitted, Drexel University prioritizes broad access, with a mid-sized student body of 13,509 in Philadelphia, PA. The average net cost of $153,712 over four years represents a 37% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Drexel University →

Top Career Paths

Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
Computer and information research scientists $140,910/yr
Data scientists $112,590/yr
View all 14 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Chemistry at Other Schools

Other Majors at Drexel University

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Chemistry at Drexel University?
This program scores 56/100 — 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 $675,322 in decade earnings vs $803,965 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →