Chemistry at East Carolina University

Greenville, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree
69 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
69
Optimistic
69
Base Case
65
Pessimistic
Earnings $47,875/yr (16% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (169,700 openings/yr)
ROI 20.9x earnings multiple (6.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #8 of 205 Chemistry programs Top 5%

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 $624K $616K $554K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 21.2x 20.9x 18.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.6x 6.5x 5.9x
Probability of Field Employment 57% 54% 38%
DegreeOutlook Score 69 69 65

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$29,444
Out-of-state: $94,552 (6.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$66,056
-124% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,000
5.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$67,259
40% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $47,875 at East Carolina University come in 16% above the national median of $41,256 for Chemistry programs.

The 20.9x 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 11% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

With first-year pay of $47,875 far exceeding the $22,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #8 out of 205 programs, East Carolina University's Chemistry program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $47,875 to $67,259 shows 40% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About East Carolina University

East Carolina University accepts 90% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving 19,857 students in Greenville, NC.

See all programs and financial aid at East Carolina 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

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Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does East Carolina University's Chemistry program score?
This program scores 69/100, 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.
Why does East Carolina University rank so high for Chemistry?
The #8 ranking out of 205 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →