Chemistry at Fort Lewis College
Durango, CO · Public · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
41
Optimistic
40
Base Case
43
Pessimistic
Earnings
$34,159/yr (-17% vs median)
AI Risk
High (47% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (169,700 openings/yr)
ROI
11.3x earnings multiple (5.3x out-of-state)
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 | $435K | $439K | $426K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 11.3x | 11.3x | 11.0x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 5.2x | 5.3x | 5.1x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 57% | 54% | 38% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 41 | 40 | 43 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$38,680
Out-of-state: $83,192 (5.3x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,000
5.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (4 Year)
$36,977
8% growth from Year 1
About Fort Lewis College
With 93% of applicants admitted, Fort Lewis College prioritizes broad access, a smaller institution with 3,070 students in Durango, CO.
See all programs and financial aid at Fort Lewis College →Top Career Paths
Natural sciences managers
$161,180/yr
Computer and information research scientists
$140,910/yr
Data scientists
$112,590/yr
Compare & Explore
Chemistry at Other Schools
Other Majors at Fort Lewis College
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 Fort Lewis College?
A score of 40/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Chemistry. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
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 $426,143 in decade earnings vs $435,155 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Chemistry from Fort Lewis College?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →