Chemistryat Grand Valley State University
Graduates earn $46,496/yr in their first year — about 13.0% above the national Chemistry average. Base-case 10-year earnings $550K; scenarios range from $506K to $554K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Grand Valley State University
First-year earnings of $46,496 at Grand Valley State University come in 13% above the national median of $41,256 for Chemistry programs.
The earnings-to-cost ratio of 9.4x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.
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 9% gap from the optimistic case.
With first-year pay of $46,496 far exceeding the $23,239 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
Ranked #111 of 205 Chemistry programs, Grand Valley State University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Earnings grow from $46,496 to $57,685 over five years — a 24% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.
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 Grand Valley State University'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 Grand Valley State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Grand Valley State University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Grand Valley State University, 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 Grand Valley State University
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Chemistry at Grand Valley State 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 $506,205 in decade earnings vs $553,656 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.