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Physical Sciences · Chemistry Rank #142 of 205

Chemistryat University of Akron Main Campus

Graduates earn $44,970/yr in their first year — about 9.0% above the national Chemistry average. Base-case 10-year earnings $505K; scenarios range from $474K to $506K depending on AI disruption.

Akron, OH Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
51 AVERAGE
51
Optimistic
48
Pessimistic
Earnings
$44,970
1-year post-graduation
ROI
7.8x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$505K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
49% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Akron Main Campus

University of Akron Main Campus's Chemistry graduates start at $44,970/yr — above the $41,256 national average, though not by a wide margin.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 9.9x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

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 6% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $26,000 represents roughly 7 months of the $44,970 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #142 of 205 Chemistry programs, University of Akron Main Campus falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$474K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score48/100
Earnings Multiple9.3x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$505K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score51/100
Earnings Multiple9.9x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$506K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score51/100
Earnings Multiple9.9x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Akron Main Campus's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Chemistry graduates typically work

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.

1
Natural sciences managers
+3.7% 10-yr growth · 8,500 openings/yr
$161,180/yr
High
2
Computer and information research scientists
+19.7% 10-yr growth · 3,200 openings/yr
$140,910/yr
High
3
Data scientists
+33.5% 10-yr growth · 23,400 openings/yr
$112,590/yr
High
4
Computer occupations, all other
+8.2% 10-yr growth · 31,300 openings/yr
$108,970/yr
High
5
Physics teachers, postsecondary
+2.5% 10-yr growth · 1,300 openings/yr
$97,360/yr
Moderate
6
Environmental science teachers, postsecondary
+2.9% 10-yr growth · 700 openings/yr
$87,710/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Chemistry

How University of Akron Main Campus stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Northeastern University
MA · Private nonprofit
61
DW Score
$63K
1-yr earn
2.8x
ROI
University of California-Berkeley
CA · Public
64
DW Score
$60K
1-yr earn
10.0x
ROI
Montclair State University
NJ · Public
56
DW Score
$55K
1-yr earn
8.4x
ROI
Bridgewater State University
MA · Public
72
DW Score
$55K
1-yr earn
17.2x
ROI
University of Delaware
DE · Public
66
DW Score
$54K
1-yr earn
11.0x
ROI
Also at University of Akron Main Campus

Other top programs at University of Akron Main Campus

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Akron Main Campus, 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 →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Chemistry at University of Akron Main Campus

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Chemistry at University of Akron Main Campus?

This program scores 51/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Chemistry programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.

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 $473,815 in decade earnings vs $505,715 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.