Home › University of Idaho › Chemical Engineering

Chemical Engineering at University of Idaho

Moscow, ID · Public · Bachelor's Degree
73 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
75
Optimistic
73
Base Case
71
Pessimistic
Earnings $75,915/yr (5% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Large (30,300 openings/yr)
ROI 22.0x earnings multiple (6.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #33 of 158 Chemical Engineering programs Top 25%

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 $807K $776K $681K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 22.9x 22.0x 19.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.8x 6.5x 5.7x
Probability of Field Employment 82% 74% 54%
DegreeOutlook Score 75 73 71

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$35,264
Out-of-state: $119,136 (6.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$55,128
-56% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
4.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$86,046
13% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of Idaho's Chemical Engineering graduates start at $75,915/yr — above the $72,288 national average, though not by a wide margin.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 22.0x 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 16% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $27,000 in median debt clears quickly against $75,915 in annual earnings.

At #33 of 158 nationally, this is a top-5% Chemical Engineering program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $86,046 are relatively flat compared to the $75,915 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

About University of Idaho

A 79% acceptance rate means University of Idaho is accessible to most applicants, enrolling 7,363 students in Moscow, ID.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Idaho →

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

Compare this program → View all 158 schools offering Chemical Engineering →

Chemical Engineering at Other Schools

Rice University ($87,830) The University of Texas at Austin ($87,365) Lamar University ($87,284) University of Florida ($87,164) Texas A & M University-College Station ($86,176) University of Wisconsin-Madison ($85,945) Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus ($85,847) University of Virginia-Main Campus ($85,772)

Other Majors at University of Idaho

Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($80,700) Computer Science ($70,276) Civil Engineering ($68,885) Mechanical Engineering ($65,409) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($59,334) Management Information Systems and Services ($52,920) Human Resources Management and Services ($49,442) Agricultural Business and Management ($48,338)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Chemical Engineering at University of Idaho?
This program scores 73/100 — 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 $680,825 in decade earnings vs $807,161 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of Idaho's Chemical Engineering program stand out?
Ranked #33 of 158 programs nationally, University of Idaho lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →