Chemical Engineering at Montana State University

Bozeman, MT · Public · Bachelor's Degree
70 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
71
Optimistic
70
Base Case
69
Pessimistic
Earnings $62,206/yr (-14% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Large (30,300 openings/yr)
ROI 23.9x earnings multiple (6.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #78 of 158 Chemical Engineering programs Top 50%

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 $802K $772K $678K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 24.8x 23.9x 21.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.4x 6.2x 5.4x
Probability of Field Employment 82% 74% 54%
DegreeOutlook Score 71 70 69

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$32,332
Out-of-state: $125,348 (6.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$82,372
-155% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000
4.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$82,446
33% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Montana State University's Chemical Engineering program produces graduates earning $62,206/yr — within striking distance of the $72,288 national average for this field.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 23.9x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Chemical Engineering programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Chemical Engineering's typical career paths, with 48% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 16% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $25,000 in median debt clears quickly against $62,206 in annual earnings.

At #78 of 158 Chemical Engineering programs, Montana State University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $62,206 to $82,446 over five years — a 33% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Montana State University

A 87% acceptance rate means Montana State University is accessible to most applicants, with a mid-sized student body of 14,472 in Bozeman, MT.

See all programs and financial aid at Montana State University →

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

Chemical Engineering at Other Schools

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Chemical Engineering at Montana State University?
This program scores 70/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Chemical Engineering nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Chemical Engineering careers?
With 48% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $677,572 in decade earnings vs $802,262 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →