Chemical Engineering at University of Cincinnati-Main Campus

Cincinnati, OH · Public · Bachelor's Degree
72 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
74
Optimistic
72
Base Case
69
Pessimistic
Earnings $82,372/yr (14% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Large (30,300 openings/yr)
ROI 15.2x earnings multiple (6.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #53 of 158 Chemical Engineering programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Chemical Engineering graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $864K $827K $718K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 15.9x 15.2x 13.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.1x 6.8x 5.9x
Probability of Field Employment 82% 74% 54%
DegreeOutlook Score 74 72 69

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$54,280
Out-of-state: $122,328 (6.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$92,624
-71% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,083
3.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$92,906
13% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $82,372 per year, Chemical Engineering graduates from University of Cincinnati-Main Campus earn slightly above the $72,288 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 15.2x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Chemical Engineering programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Chemical Engineering's typical career paths, with 48% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 17% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $21,083 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #53 of 158 Chemical Engineering programs, University of Cincinnati-Main Campus scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $92,906 are relatively flat compared to the $82,372 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

About University of Cincinnati-Main Campus

With 88% of applicants admitted, University of Cincinnati-Main Campus prioritizes broad access, with 29,094 students enrolled in Cincinnati, OH.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Cincinnati-Main Campus →

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr
Chemical engineers $121,860/yr
Engineers, all other $117,750/yr
View all 5 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Chemical Engineering at Other Schools

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Chemical Engineering at University of Cincinnati-Main Campus?
This program scores 72/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Chemical Engineering nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Chemical Engineering careers?
With 48% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $718,288 in decade earnings vs $863,605 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →