Program Analysis
At $78,263 per year, Chemical Engineering graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn slightly above the $72,288 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.
An earnings multiple of 3.9x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.
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 19% gap from the optimistic case.
The median debt load of $24,985 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.
Ranked #133 of 158 Chemical Engineering programs, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Earnings grow from $78,263 to $107,062 over five years — a 37% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.