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Chemistry at Montclair State University

Montclair, NJ · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $55,389/yr (34% vs median)

AI Risk High (47% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (169,700 openings/yr)

ROI 9.6x earnings multiple (5.9x out-of-state)

Ranked #112 of 205 Chemistry programs

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	$574K	$569K	$520K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	9.7x	9.6x	8.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.9x	5.9x	5.4x
Probability of Field Employment	57%	54%	38%
DegreeOutlook Score	56	56	51

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$59,064

Out-of-state: $96,504 (5.9x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$56,636

4% less than sticker · See by income

Program Analysis

At $55,389 per year, Chemistry graduates from Montclair State University significantly outpace the $41,256 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 9.6x 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.

Ranked #112 of 205 Chemistry programs, Montclair State University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About Montclair State University

With 87% of applicants admitted, Montclair State University prioritizes broad access, serving 17,677 students in Montclair, NJ. With 44% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at Montclair State University →

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

Chemistry at Other Schools

Other Majors at Montclair State University

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Chemistry at Montclair 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 $519,758 in decade earnings vs $573,714 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →