Chemistry at University of Florida

Gainesville, FL · Public · Bachelor's Degree
49 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
50
Optimistic
49
Base Case
51
Pessimistic
Earnings $25,418/yr (-38% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (169,700 openings/yr)
ROI 27.1x earnings multiple (6.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #152 of 205 Chemistry programs

Program Analysis

The earnings profile for UF Chemistry suggests many graduates pursue paths with delayed financial returns, like medical school, pharmacy school, or advanced research degrees. Gainesville isn't a major biotech or pharmaceutical industry hub, meaning fewer high-paying, direct-from-undergrad industry jobs are immediately available locally. Many students leverage UF's strong research reputation to secure competitive graduate school placements or entry-level lab technician roles that serve as foundational experience. The high AI risk also points to a shift away from routine lab work towards more specialized or interdisciplinary roles. If you pursue this major, proactively seek out internships in emerging fields like computational chemistry or materials science, and consider a minor in data science or computer science to enhance your marketability for those higher-earning career paths.

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 $703K $691K $607K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 27.6x 27.1x 23.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.1x 6.0x 5.3x
Probability of Field Employment 57% 54% 38%
DegreeOutlook Score 50 49 51

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$25,524
Out-of-state: $114,636 (6.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$25,404
0% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,824
7.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$62,885
147% growth from Year 1

About University of Florida

University of Florida admits 24% of applicants, placing it among selective institutions, one of the larger campuses at 34,102 students in Gainesville, FL.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Florida →

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 Florida

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 49/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Chemistry at University of Florida?
At 49/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Chemistry programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Chemistry at University of 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.
Is University of Florida a good choice for Chemistry despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If University of Florida's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →