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Chemical Engineering at Rice University

Houston, TX · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $87,830/yr (22% vs median)

AI Risk High (48% exposed)

Job Market Large (30,300 openings/yr)

ROI 4.5x earnings multiple

Ranked #117 of 158 Chemical Engineering programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$1,107K	$1,047K	$880K
Earnings Multiple	4.8x	4.5x	3.8x
Probability of Field Employment	82%	74%	54%
DegreeOutlook Score	65	64	61

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$232,512

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$50,560

78% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$13,178

1.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$117,477

34% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $87,830 at Rice University come in 22% above the national median of $72,288 for Chemical Engineering programs.

An earnings multiple of 4.5x 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 21% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $87,830 far exceeding the $13,178 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #117 of 158 Chemical Engineering programs, Rice University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $87,830 to $117,477 over five years — a 34% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Rice University

Rice University's 8% admission rate places it in the top tier of selectivity nationally, a compact campus enrolling 4,562 students in Houston, TX. The average net cost of $50,560 over four years represents a 78% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Rice University →

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr

Chemical engineers $121,860/yr

Engineers, all other $117,750/yr

View all 5 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Chemical Engineering at Other Schools

Other Majors at Rice University

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Chemical Engineering at Rice University?

This program scores 64/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Chemical Engineering programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.

Will AI replace Chemical Engineering careers?

With 48% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $880,064 in decade earnings vs $1,107,353 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Is Rice University a hidden gem for Chemical Engineering?

After financial aid, the average student pays $50,560 over four years — 78% below the $232,512 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.

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