Polymer Engineering at Pennsylvania College of Technology

Williamsport, PA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Polymer/Plastics Engineering
52 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
53
Optimistic
52
Base Case
50
Pessimistic
Earnings $71,651/yr (1% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Medium (21,200 openings/yr)
ROI 9.9x earnings multiple (6.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #4 of 4 Polymer/Plastics Engineering programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Polymer Engineering graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $734K $713K $633K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.2x 9.9x 8.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.1x 6.9x 6.2x
Probability of Field Employment 73% 67% 50%
DegreeOutlook Score 53 52 50

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$71,760
Out-of-state: $102,720 (6.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$104,336
-45% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,407
4.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

At $71,651/yr, Polymer Engineering graduates from Pennsylvania College of Technology land near the $71,235 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

A 9.9x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 14% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Polymer Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

The median debt load of $25,407 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Polymer Engineering is offered at just 4 schools in our analysis. Pennsylvania College of Technology's #4 ranking should be read in that context.

About Pennsylvania College of Technology

with a smaller student body of 4,254 in Williamsport, PA.

See all programs and financial aid at Pennsylvania College of Technology →

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr
Chemical engineers $121,860/yr
Materials engineers $108,310/yr
View all 4 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Polymer Engineering at Other Schools

Other Majors at Pennsylvania College of Technology

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 52/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Polymer Engineering at Pennsylvania College of Technology?
At 52/100, the score looks reasonable — but Polymer Engineering is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Should I worry about AI if I study Polymer Engineering at Pennsylvania College of Technology?
The 47% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →