Chemistry at Missouri State University-Springfield

Springfield, MO · Public · Bachelor's Degree
61 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
62
Optimistic
61
Base Case
60
Pessimistic
Earnings $41,166/yr (-0% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (169,700 openings/yr)
ROI 16.7x earnings multiple (8.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #63 of 205 Chemistry programs Top 50%

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 $610K $603K $544K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 16.9x 16.7x 15.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.5x 8.4x 7.6x
Probability of Field Employment 57% 54% 38%
DegreeOutlook Score 62 61 60

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$36,096
Out-of-state: $71,712 (8.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$70,008
-94% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,517
6.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$63,214
54% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $41,166/yr, Chemistry graduates from Missouri State University-Springfield land near the $41,256 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 16.7x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Chemistry programs nationally.

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 11% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $20,517 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #63 of 205 Chemistry programs, Missouri State University-Springfield scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $63,214 show a 54% jump from the $41,166 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Missouri State University-Springfield

With 91% of applicants admitted, Missouri State University-Springfield prioritizes broad access, serving 13,407 students in Springfield, MO.

See all programs and financial aid at Missouri State University-Springfield →

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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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Chemistry at Missouri State University-Springfield?
A score of 61/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Chemistry field.
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 $544,401 in decade earnings vs $610,188 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →