Chemistryat University of Iowa
Graduates earn $44,847/yr in their first year — about 9.0% above the national Chemistry average. Base-case 10-year earnings $582K; scenarios range from $529K to $588K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Iowa
Graduates earn $44,847/yr, edging above the $41,256 national average for Chemistry — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.
The 13.3x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.
AI risk is moderate — 47% task exposure — and the 10% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
The $25,650 debt-to-$44,847 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.
Ranked #60 out of 205 programs, University of Iowa's Chemistry offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.
The five-year earnings trajectory from $44,847 to $61,755 shows 38% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.
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 University of Iowa'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 University of Iowa stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Iowa
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Iowa, 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 University of Iowa
How does University of Iowa's Chemistry program score?
This program scores 61/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Chemistry graduates.
How vulnerable is Chemistry to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Chemistry careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 47% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.