Chemistryat University of California-Merced
Graduates earn $50,944/yr in their first year — about 23.0% above the national Chemistry average. Base-case 10-year earnings $587K; scenarios range from $533K to $593K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at UC Merced
Graduates earn $50,944/yr, edging above the $41,256 national average for Chemistry — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 10.4x 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 10% gap from the optimistic case.
At $14,500 in median debt against $50,944 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.
At #56 of 205 Chemistry programs, University of California-Merced scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.
Earnings grow from $50,944 to $64,086 over five years — a 26% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.
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 UC Merced'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 UC Merced stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at UC Merced
Other highest-scoring programs offered at UC Merced, 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 UC Merced
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Chemistry at University of California-Merced?
A score of 62/100 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 $532,655 in decade earnings vs $592,806 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.