Chemistry at North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Raleigh, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree
56 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
57
Optimistic
56
Base Case
53
Pessimistic
Earnings $47,071/yr (14% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (169,700 openings/yr)
ROI 14.6x earnings multiple (4.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #113 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 $519K $518K $483K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 14.6x 14.6x 13.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.1x 4.1x 3.8x
Probability of Field Employment 57% 54% 38%
DegreeOutlook Score 57 56 53

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$35,580
Out-of-state: $127,068 (4.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$67,724
-90% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,500
4.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $47,071 at North Carolina State University at Raleigh come in 14% above the national median of $41,256 for Chemistry programs.

The 14.6x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 47% task exposure — and the 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

With first-year pay of $47,071 far exceeding the $16,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #113 out of 205 programs, North Carolina State University at Raleigh's financial outcomes for Chemistry trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About North Carolina State University at Raleigh

North Carolina State University at Raleigh accepts 40% of applicants — selective, though not ultra-competitive, with 26,389 students enrolled in Raleigh, NC.

See all programs and financial aid at North Carolina State University at Raleigh →

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 North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does North Carolina State University at Raleigh's Chemistry program score?
A score of 56/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but North Carolina State University at Raleigh trails the majority of Chemistry programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
How vulnerable is Chemistry to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Chemistry careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 47% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →