Chemical Engineering at Stony Brook University

Stony Brook, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree
74 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
75
Optimistic
74
Base Case
71
Pessimistic
Earnings $72,868/yr (1% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Large (30,300 openings/yr)
ROI 21.8x earnings multiple (7.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #26 of 158 Chemical Engineering programs Top 25%

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 $967K $921K $787K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 22.9x 21.8x 18.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.0x 7.6x 6.5x
Probability of Field Employment 82% 74% 54%
DegreeOutlook Score 75 74 71

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$42,240
Out-of-state: $121,400 (7.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$73,720
-75% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,500
3.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$100,426
38% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Stony Brook University's Chemical Engineering program produces graduates earning $72,868/yr — within striking distance of the $72,288 national average for this field.

The 21.8x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 48% task exposure — and the 19% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $22,500 in median debt clears quickly against $72,868 in annual earnings.

Ranked #26 out of 158 programs, Stony Brook University's Chemical Engineering program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $72,868 to $100,426 shows 38% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Stony Brook University

Stony Brook University's 49% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, serving 17,420 students in Stony Brook, NY.

See all programs and financial aid at Stony Brook 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does Stony Brook University's Chemical Engineering program score?
A score of 74/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Stony Brook University's Chemical Engineering graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How vulnerable is Chemical Engineering to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Chemical Engineering careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 48% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does Stony Brook University rank so high for Chemical Engineering?
The #26 ranking out of 158 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →