Polymer Engineering at University of Massachusetts-Lowell

Lowell, MA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Polymer/Plastics Engineering
68 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
69
Optimistic
68
Base Case
66
Pessimistic
Earnings $77,114/yr (8% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Medium (21,200 openings/yr)
ROI 12.6x earnings multiple (5.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #1 of 4 Polymer/Plastics Engineering programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Polymer Engineering graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $868K $836K $724K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.1x 12.6x 10.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.1x 5.9x 5.1x
Probability of Field Employment 73% 67% 50%
DegreeOutlook Score 69 68 66

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$66,280
Out-of-state: $141,584 (5.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$74,508
-12% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
4.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$96,500
25% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $77,114/yr, edging above the $71,235 national average for Polymer Engineering — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.6x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Polymer Engineering programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Polymer Engineering's typical career paths, with 47% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 17% gap from the optimistic case.

At $27,000 in median debt against $77,114 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

This program is one of 4 schools offering Polymer Engineering in our dataset — a specialized field with limited comparison points.

Earnings grow from $77,114 to $96,500 over five years — a 25% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of Massachusetts-Lowell

University of Massachusetts-Lowell has a 85% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, enrolling 11,632 students in Lowell, MA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Massachusetts-Lowell →

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr
Chemical engineers $121,860/yr
Materials engineers $108,310/yr
View all 4 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Polymer Engineering at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of Massachusetts-Lowell

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Polymer Engineering at University of Massachusetts-Lowell?
A score of 68/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Polymer Engineering field.
Will AI replace Polymer Engineering careers?
With 47% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $724,329 in decade earnings vs $868,264 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of Massachusetts-Lowell's Polymer Engineering program stand out?
Ranked #1 of 4 programs nationally, University of Massachusetts-Lowell 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 →