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Chemical Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree
76 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
77
Optimistic
76
Base Case
73
Pessimistic
Earnings $87,365/yr (21% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Large (30,300 openings/yr)
ROI 21.0x earnings multiple (5.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #7 of 158 Chemical Engineering programs Top 5%

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 $1,036K $983K $833K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 22.2x 21.0x 17.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.1x 5.7x 4.9x
Probability of Field Employment 82% 74% 54%
DegreeOutlook Score 77 76 73

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$46,712
Out-of-state: $171,112 (5.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$78,712
-69% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,672
2.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$110,742
27% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $87,365 at The University of Texas at Austin come in 21% above the national median of $72,288 for Chemical Engineering programs.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 21.0x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Chemical Engineering programs nationally.

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 20% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $87,365 far exceeding the $19,672 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #7 of 158 nationally, this is a top-5% Chemical Engineering program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $87,365 to $110,742 over five years — a 27% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About The University of Texas at Austin

The University of Texas at Austin accepts 29% of applicants — selective, though not ultra-competitive, serving a student body of 42,100 in Austin, TX.

See all programs and financial aid at The University of Texas at Austin →

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

Compare this program → View all 158 schools offering Chemical Engineering →

Chemical Engineering at Other Schools

Rice University ($87,830) Lamar University ($87,284) University of Florida ($87,164) Texas A & M University-College Station ($86,176) University of Wisconsin-Madison ($85,945) Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus ($85,847) University of Virginia-Main Campus ($85,772) Cornell University ($85,578)

Compare Chemical Engineering

The University of Texas at Austin vs Lamar University → The University of Texas at Austin vs University of Florida → The University of Texas at Austin vs Texas A & M University-College Station → The University of Texas at Austin vs University of Wisconsin-Madison → The University of Texas at Austin vs Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus →

Other Majors at The University of Texas at Austin

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($111,587) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($96,997) Business/Commerce, General ($94,041) Petroleum Engineering ($86,761) Management Information Systems and Services ($86,622) Mechanical Engineering ($82,227) Finance and Financial Management Services ($81,844) Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering ($81,022)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Chemical Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin?
This program scores 76/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Chemical Engineering nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
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 $832,528 in decade earnings vs $1,035,730 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes The University of Texas at Austin's Chemical Engineering program stand out?
Ranked #7 of 158 programs nationally, The University of Texas at Austin lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →