Chemical Engineering at Syracuse University

Syracuse, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
48 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
49
Optimistic
48
Base Case
45
Pessimistic
Earnings $72,864/yr (1% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Large (30,300 openings/yr)
ROI 3.0x earnings multiple
Ranked #157 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 $773K $745K $658K
Earnings Multiple 3.1x 3.0x 2.6x
Probability of Field Employment 82% 74% 54%
DegreeOutlook Score 49 48 45

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$252,244
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$164,104
35% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
4.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (4 Year)
$91,957
26% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $72,864/yr, Chemical Engineering graduates from Syracuse University land near the $72,288 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The financial case is thin at 3.0x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

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 15% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $27,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #157 of 158 Chemical Engineering programs, Syracuse University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About Syracuse University

Syracuse University accepts 42% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, enrolling 15,245 students in Syracuse, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $164,104 over four years — 35% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Syracuse 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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Chemical Engineering at Syracuse University?
A score of 48/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Chemical Engineering. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
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 $657,901 in decade earnings vs $772,620 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →