Chemical Engineeringat University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Graduates earn $79,551/yr in their first year — about 10.0% above the national Chemical Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $898K; scenarios range from $770K to $942K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Michigan
Your decision to pursue Chemical Engineering at Michigan places you in a highly respected program within a globally recognized engineering school. The robust outcomes you see reflect not just the rigorous curriculum, but also the university's powerful recruiting pipelines and extensive alumni network. Major players in automotive, chemical manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and even high-tech consulting actively recruit from Ann Arbor, valuing the analytical and problem-solving skills Michigan graduates bring. The program's strong emphasis on research and design projects equips you for diverse roles, from process optimization to product development and management. While automation trends might impact some entry-level tasks, this program's focus on complex R&D and leadership positions you for roles less susceptible to immediate displacement. To maximize your potential, actively engage with the program's research labs and seek internships that align with emerging fields; this specialization will be crucial for navigating your career path effectively.
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 Michigan'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 Chemical Engineering
How University of Michigan stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Michigan
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Michigan, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Chemical Engineering at University of Michigan
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.