Chemistryat University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Graduates earn $47,034/yr in their first year — about 14.0% above the national Chemistry average. Base-case 10-year earnings $682K; scenarios range from $601K to $694K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at UIUC
First-year earnings of $47,034 at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign come in 14% above the national median of $41,256 for Chemistry programs.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 10.7x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Chemistry programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Chemistry's typical career paths, with 47% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 13% gap from the optimistic case.
With first-year pay of $47,034 far exceeding the $21,250 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
At #35 of 205 nationally, this is a top-5% Chemistry program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.
Five-year earnings of $75,401 show a 60% jump from the $47,034 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to UIUC's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering Chemistry
How UIUC stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at UIUC
Other highest-scoring programs offered at UIUC, 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 →Frequently asked about Chemistry at UIUC
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Chemistry at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?
A score of 63/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Chemistry field.
Will AI replace Chemistry careers?
With 47% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $601,140 in decade earnings vs $694,170 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's Chemistry program stand out?
Ranked #35 of 205 programs nationally, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.