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Chemical Engineering at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree
71 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
72
Optimistic
71
Base Case
68
Pessimistic
Earnings $79,551/yr (10% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Large (30,300 openings/yr)
ROI 13.0x earnings multiple (3.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #63 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 $942K $898K $770K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.7x 13.0x 11.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.1x 3.9x 3.3x
Probability of Field Employment 82% 74% 54%
DegreeOutlook Score 72 71 68

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$68,912
Out-of-state: $232,288 (3.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$59,328
14% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,964
3.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$100,000
26% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor's Chemical Engineering graduates start at $79,551/yr — above the $72,288 national average, though not by a wide margin.

The 13.0x 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 — 48% task exposure — and the 18% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $20,964 in median debt clears quickly against $79,551 in annual earnings.

Ranked #63 out of 158 programs, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor's Chemical Engineering offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $79,551 to $100,000 shows 26% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Admission to University of Michigan-Ann Arbor is competitive, with 18% of applicants accepted, serving a student body of 33,488 in Ann Arbor, MI.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor →

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

Compare this program → View all 158 schools offering Chemical Engineering →

Chemical Engineering at Other Schools

Rice University ($87,830) The University of Texas at Austin ($87,365) Lamar University ($87,284) University of Florida ($87,164) Texas A & M University-College Station ($86,176) University of Wisconsin-Madison ($85,945) Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus ($85,847) University of Virginia-Main Campus ($85,772)

Other Majors at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($113,634) Computer Software and Media Applications ($98,117) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($93,674) Computer Engineering ($92,501) Information Science/Studies ($88,515) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($87,606) Industrial Engineering ($86,476) Mechanical Engineering ($82,823)

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of Michigan-Ann Arbor's Chemical Engineering program score?
A score of 71/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor's Chemical Engineering graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How vulnerable is Chemical Engineering to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Chemical Engineering careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 48% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →