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Polymer/Plastics Engineering at University of Massachusetts-Lowell

Lowell, MA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

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/Plastics 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/Plastics 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/Plastics Engineering programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Polymer/Plastics 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/Plastics 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/Plastics Engineering at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of Massachusetts-Lowell

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Polymer/Plastics 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/Plastics Engineering field.

Will AI replace Polymer/Plastics 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/Plastics 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 →