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Chemistry at University of California-Irvine

Irvine, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $43,766/yr (6% vs median)

AI Risk High (47% exposed)

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

ROI 11.7x earnings multiple (3.7x out-of-state)

Ranked #57 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	$677K	$666K	$589K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	11.9x	11.7x	10.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	3.8x	3.7x	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)

$56,948

Out-of-state: $180,056 (3.7x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$51,360

10% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$13,000

3.6 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$72,001

65% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $43,766 per year, Chemistry graduates from University of California-Irvine earn slightly above the $41,256 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

With a 11.7x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 13% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Chemistry career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

The median debt load of $13,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

A #57 ranking among 205 Chemistry programs places University of California-Irvine in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The $43,766-to-$72,001 earnings arc over five years reflects a 65% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About University of California-Irvine

A 26% acceptance rate puts University of California-Irvine in competitive admissions territory, one of the larger campuses at 29,494 students in Irvine, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of California-Irvine →

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 University of California-Irvine

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 does a 61/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Chemistry at University of California-Irvine?

At 61/100, University of California-Irvine's Chemistry program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.

Should I worry about AI if I study Chemistry at University of California-Irvine?

The 47% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

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