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Chemistry at University of Missouri-Columbia

Columbia, MO · Public · Bachelor's Degree
50 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
51
Optimistic
50
Base Case
47
Pessimistic
Earnings $45,279/yr (10% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (169,700 openings/yr)
ROI 9.0x earnings multiple (3.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #150 of 205 Chemistry programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $508K $507K $475K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 9.0x 9.0x 8.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.7x 3.7x 3.5x
Probability of Field Employment 57% 54% 38%
DegreeOutlook Score 51 50 47

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$56,520
Out-of-state: $137,352 (3.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$79,556
-41% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,500
5.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

University of Missouri-Columbia's Chemistry graduates start at $45,279/yr — above the $41,256 national average, though not by a wide margin.

A 9.0x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 6% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Chemistry career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $19,500 in median debt clears quickly against $45,279 in annual earnings.

A #150 ranking among 205 Chemistry programs places University of Missouri-Columbia in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

About University of Missouri-Columbia

A 77% acceptance rate means University of Missouri-Columbia is accessible to most applicants, serving a student body of 23,118 in Columbia, MO.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Missouri-Columbia →

Top Career Paths

Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
Computer and information research scientists $140,910/yr
Data scientists $112,590/yr
View all 14 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 205 schools offering Chemistry →

Chemistry at Other Schools

Northeastern University ($62,511) University of California-Berkeley ($59,576) Montclair State University ($55,389) Bridgewater State University ($55,376) University of Delaware ($54,055) Rowan University ($53,607) Towson University ($52,765) State University of New York at Oswego ($52,645)

Other Majors at University of Missouri-Columbia

Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($85,400) Computer Engineering ($83,243) Industrial Engineering ($79,894) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($72,886) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($72,300) Mechanical Engineering ($71,800) Engineering, General ($70,366) Chemical Engineering ($69,950)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Chemistry trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 50/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Chemistry at University of Missouri-Columbia?
At 50/100, the score looks reasonable — but Chemistry is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Should I worry about AI if I study Chemistry at University of Missouri-Columbia?
The 47% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →