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Chemical Engineering at Illinois Institute of Technology

Chicago, IL · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
58 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
59
Optimistic
58
Base Case
56
Pessimistic
Earnings $64,526/yr (-11% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Large (30,300 openings/yr)
ROI 4.3x earnings multiple
Ranked #146 of 158 Chemical Engineering programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $936K $893K $766K
Earnings Multiple 4.5x 4.3x 3.7x
Probability of Field Employment 82% 74% 54%
DegreeOutlook Score 59 58 56

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$207,052
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$77,412
63% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,375
4.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$94,955
47% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $64,526/yr, roughly in line with the $72,288 national median for Chemical Engineering. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

At 4.3x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.

The 18% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Chemical Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

With first-year pay of $64,526 far exceeding the $25,375 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #146 ranking among 158 Chemical Engineering programs places Illinois Institute of Technology in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 47% earnings increase from $64,526 to $94,955 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Illinois Institute of Technology

A 55% admission rate makes Illinois Institute of Technology accessible to a wide range of qualified students, with a smaller student body of 2,812 in Chicago, IL. The average net cost of $77,412 over four years represents a 63% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Illinois Institute of Technology →

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr
Chemical engineers $121,860/yr
Engineers, all other $117,750/yr
View all 5 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 158 schools offering Chemical Engineering →

Chemical Engineering at Other Schools

Rice University ($87,830) The University of Texas at Austin ($87,365) Lamar University ($87,284) University of Florida ($87,164) Texas A & M University-College Station ($86,176) University of Wisconsin-Madison ($85,945) Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus ($85,847) University of Virginia-Main Campus ($85,772)

Other Majors at Illinois Institute of Technology

Computer Science ($86,005) Computer Engineering ($81,252) Engineering-Related Fields ($72,164) Civil Engineering ($71,760) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($69,966) Mechanical Engineering ($65,386) Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering ($63,169) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($61,313)

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 58/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Chemical Engineering at Illinois Institute of Technology?
At 58/100, the score looks reasonable — but Chemical Engineering is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Should I worry about AI if I study Chemical Engineering at Illinois Institute of Technology?
The 48% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
What do students actually pay for Chemical Engineering at Illinois Institute of Technology?
The 63% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $207,052. At a net cost of $77,412, the earnings multiple improves substantially.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →