Chemistryat James Madison University
Graduates earn $45,799/yr in their first year — about 11.0% above the national Chemistry average. Base-case 10-year earnings $510K; scenarios range from $477K to $511K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at James Madison University
Graduates earn $45,799/yr, edging above the $41,256 national average for Chemistry — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.
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 7% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $23,750 represents roughly 6 months of the $45,799 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.
Ranked #144 of 205 Chemistry programs, James Madison University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
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 James Madison 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 James Madison University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at James Madison University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at James Madison 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 James Madison University
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Chemistry at James Madison University?
This program scores 51/100 — 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 $477,470 in decade earnings vs $511,126 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.