Chemistryat The University of Texas at Austin
Graduates earn $43,383/yr in their first year — about 5.0% above the national Chemistry average. Base-case 10-year earnings $624K; scenarios range from $560K to $633K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at UT Austin
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.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to UT Austin's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Chemistry
How UT Austin stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at UT Austin
Other highest-scoring programs offered at UT Austin, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Chemistry offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Chemistry trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Chemistry at UT Austin
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.