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Physical Sciences · Chemistry Rank #107 of 205

Chemistryat University of Central Florida

Graduates earn $43,634/yr in their first year — about 6.0% above the national Chemistry average. Base-case 10-year earnings $497K; scenarios range from $468K to $497K depending on AI disruption.

Orlando, FL Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
56 SOLID
57
Optimistic
54
Pessimistic
Earnings
$43,634
1-year post-graduation
ROI
16.1x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$497K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
49% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Central Florida

At $43,634 per year, Chemistry graduates from University of Central Florida earn slightly above the $41,256 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

With a 19.5x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 6% 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 $16,050 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

A #107 ranking among 205 Chemistry programs places University of Central Florida in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

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
$468K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score54/100
Earnings Multiple18.4x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$497K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score56/100
Earnings Multiple19.5x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$497K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score57/100
Earnings Multiple19.5x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Central Florida'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 Central Florida 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 Central Florida

Other top programs at University of Central Florida

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Central Florida, 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 Central Florida

What does a 56/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Chemistry at University of Central Florida?

At 56/100, the score looks reasonable — but Chemistry is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.

Should I worry about AI if I study Chemistry at University of Central Florida?

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.