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Physical Sciences · Chemistry Rank #5 of 205

Chemistryat Rhode Island College

Graduates earn $44,648/yr in their first year — about 8.0% above the national Chemistry average. Base-case 10-year earnings $866K; scenarios range from $733K to $890K depending on AI disruption.

Providence, RI Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
70 STRONG
71
Optimistic
67
Pessimistic
Earnings
$44,648
1-year post-graduation
ROI
20.4x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$866K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
49% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Rhode Island College

Rhode Island College's Chemistry program stands out, demonstrating that strong outcomes aren't exclusive to large research institutions. Your success here likely stems from a curriculum that hones critical analytical and quantitative skills, highly valued beyond traditional lab settings. Located in the bustling Northeast, you're well-positioned to access a wide range of regional employers in biotech, pharmaceuticals, and advanced manufacturing, especially within the Providence-Boston corridor. Many graduates leverage their scientific foundation to pivot into lucrative, interdisciplinary roles like data science or project management, capitalizing on their problem-solving abilities. To maximize your prospects, actively seek internships that broaden your experience into computational chemistry, data analytics, or even early-stage project management, diversifying your skillset beyond bench work.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$733K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score67/100
Earnings Multiple16.7x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$866K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score70/100
Earnings Multiple19.7x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$890K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score71/100
Earnings Multiple20.2x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Rhode Island College's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Chemistry graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Natural sciences managers
+3.7% 10-yr growth · 8,500 openings/yr
$161,180/yr
High
2
Computer and information research scientists
+19.7% 10-yr growth · 3,200 openings/yr
$140,910/yr
High
3
Data scientists
+33.5% 10-yr growth · 23,400 openings/yr
$112,590/yr
High
4
Computer occupations, all other
+8.2% 10-yr growth · 31,300 openings/yr
$108,970/yr
High
5
Physics teachers, postsecondary
+2.5% 10-yr growth · 1,300 openings/yr
$97,360/yr
Moderate
6
Environmental science teachers, postsecondary
+2.9% 10-yr growth · 700 openings/yr
$87,710/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Chemistry

How Rhode Island College stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Northeastern University
MA · Private nonprofit
61
DW Score
$63K
1-yr earn
2.8x
ROI
University of California-Berkeley
CA · Public
64
DW Score
$60K
1-yr earn
10.0x
ROI
Montclair State University
NJ · Public
56
DW Score
$55K
1-yr earn
8.4x
ROI
Bridgewater State University
MA · Public
72
DW Score
$55K
1-yr earn
17.2x
ROI
University of Delaware
DE · Public
66
DW Score
$54K
1-yr earn
11.0x
ROI
Also at Rhode Island College

Other top programs at Rhode Island College

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Rhode Island College, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Chemistry offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Chemistry trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Chemistry at Rhode Island College

How does Rhode Island College's Chemistry program score?

A score of 70/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Rhode Island College's Chemistry graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.

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.

Why does Rhode Island College rank so high for Chemistry?

The #5 ranking out of 205 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.