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Chemical Engineering at University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus

Waterbury, CT · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $68,025/yr (-6% vs median)

AI Risk High (48% exposed)

Job Market Large (30,300 openings/yr)

ROI 12.3x earnings multiple (5.4x out-of-state)

Ranked #103 of 158 Chemical Engineering programs

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	$900K	$860K	$742K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	12.9x	12.3x	10.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.6x	5.4x	4.6x
Probability of Field Employment	82%	74%	54%
DegreeOutlook Score	68	67	65

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$69,848

Out-of-state: $160,520 (5.4x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$35,584

49% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$24,700

4.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$92,965

37% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $68,025/yr, roughly in line with the $72,288 national median for Chemical Engineering. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.3x 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 18% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $68,025 far exceeding the $24,700 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #103 of 158 Chemical Engineering programs, University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $68,025 to $92,965 over five years — a 37% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus

University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus accepts 87% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a compact campus enrolling 746 students in Waterbury, CT. 50% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $35,584 — 49% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Connecticut-Waterbury 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

Other Majors at University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Chemical Engineering at University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus?

This program scores 67/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Chemical Engineering programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.

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 $742,416 in decade earnings vs $899,958 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

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