Chemical Engineering at University of Louisville

Louisville, KY · Public · Bachelor's Degree
72 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
73
Optimistic
72
Base Case
70
Pessimistic
Earnings $70,675/yr (-2% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Large (30,300 openings/yr)
ROI 17.6x earnings multiple (7.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #50 of 158 Chemical Engineering programs Top 50%

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 $947K $902K $773K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 18.4x 17.6x 15.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.1x 7.7x 6.6x
Probability of Field Employment 82% 74% 54%
DegreeOutlook Score 73 72 70

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$51,312
Out-of-state: $116,696 (7.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$70,536
-37% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,500
3.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$97,933
39% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $70,675/yr, Chemical Engineering graduates from University of Louisville land near the $72,288 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 17.6x 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.

The median debt load of $20,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #50 of 158 Chemical Engineering programs, University of Louisville scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $70,675 to $97,933 over five years — a 39% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of Louisville

With 81% of applicants admitted, University of Louisville prioritizes broad access, with a mid-sized student body of 14,187 in Louisville, KY.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Louisville →

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Chemical Engineering at University of Louisville?
This program scores 72/100 — 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 $773,399 in decade earnings vs $946,639 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →