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Chemistry at The University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $43,383/yr (5% vs median)

AI Risk High (47% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (169,700 openings/yr)

ROI 13.4x earnings multiple (3.6x out-of-state)

Ranked #71 of 205 Chemistry programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$633K	$624K	$560K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	13.6x	13.4x	12.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	3.7x	3.6x	3.3x
Probability of Field Employment	57%	54%	38%
DegreeOutlook Score	62	61	59

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 (3.6x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$78,712

-69% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$17,794

4.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$66,779

54% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $43,383 at The University of Texas at Austin come in 5% above the national median of $41,256 for Chemistry programs.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 13.4x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Chemistry programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Chemistry's typical career paths, with 47% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 12% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $43,383 far exceeding the $17,794 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #71 of 205 Chemistry programs, The University of Texas at Austin scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $66,779 show a 54% jump from the $43,383 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About The University of Texas at Austin

The University of Texas at Austin accepts 29% of applicants — selective, though not ultra-competitive, one of the larger campuses at 42,100 students in Austin, TX.

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

Top Career Paths

Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr

Computer and information research scientists $140,910/yr

Data scientists $112,590/yr

View all 14 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Chemistry at Other Schools

Other Majors at The University of Texas at Austin

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Chemistry at The University of Texas at Austin?

A score of 61/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Chemistry field.

Will AI replace Chemistry careers?

With 47% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $559,798 in decade earnings vs $632,979 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

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