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Chemistry at Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, AZ · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $40,845/yr (-1% vs median)

AI Risk High (47% exposed)

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

ROI 12.4x earnings multiple (5.4x out-of-state)

Ranked #92 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	$637K	$628K	$562K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	12.6x	12.4x	11.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.5x	5.4x	4.9x
Probability of Field Employment	57%	54%	38%
DegreeOutlook Score	59	58	57

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$50,608

Out-of-state: $115,600 (5.4x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$59,688

-18% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$20,051

5.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$66,140

62% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $40,845 track close to the $41,256 national median for Chemistry programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.4x 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 12% gap from the optimistic case.

At $20,051 in median debt against $40,845 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #92 of 205 Chemistry programs, Northern Arizona University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $66,140 show a 62% jump from the $40,845 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Northern Arizona University

Northern Arizona University has a 91% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with 23,041 students enrolled in Flagstaff, AZ.

See all programs and financial aid at Northern Arizona 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 Northern Arizona 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 Northern Arizona University?

A score of 58/100 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 $562,194 in decade earnings vs $636,526 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

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