Chemistryat University of Arkansas-Fort Smith
Graduates earn $22,255/yr in their first year — about 46.0% below the national Chemistry average. Base-case 10-year earnings $366K; scenarios range from $374K to $357K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith
The financial outcomes for this Chemistry program suggest a challenging path for graduates, largely due to the regional labor market and evolving industry demands. Fort Smith isn't a major hub for chemical R&D, meaning local opportunities for traditional chemistry roles are often concentrated in quality control, manufacturing support, or education, which typically don't command high starting salaries.
Many graduates find themselves needing to pursue further education, like a master's or PhD, or pivot into adjacent fields such as data science or computational roles to access higher-paying positions. This explains why career paths involving computer skills appear prominently. The high AI risk also signals that routine lab work is increasingly automated, pushing demand towards analytical and problem-solving skills that often require additional training beyond an undergraduate chemistry degree. If you're considering this path, thoroughly research what specific career you want and plan for significant upskilling or postgraduate studies.
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 University of Arkansas-Fort Smith'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 University of Arkansas-Fort Smith stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith, 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 University of Arkansas-Fort Smith
How does University of Arkansas-Fort Smith's Chemistry program score?
This program scores 32/100 — on the lower end for Chemistry. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Chemistry to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Chemistry careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 47% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Chemistry earnings lower at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith?
Lower starting pay at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.