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Chemistry at University of New Mexico-Main Campus

Albuquerque, NM · Public · Bachelor's Degree
36 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
37
Optimistic
36
Base Case
40
Pessimistic
Earnings $30,122/yr (-27% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (169,700 openings/yr)
ROI 12.8x earnings multiple (3.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #194 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 $409K $414K $408K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.6x 12.8x 12.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.9x 3.9x 3.9x
Probability of Field Employment 57% 54% 38%
DegreeOutlook Score 37 36 40

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$32,460
Out-of-state: $105,800 (3.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$69,912
-115% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,091
9.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (4 Year)
$44,573
48% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $30,122 place University of New Mexico-Main Campus below the $41,256 national median for Chemistry — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The 12.8x 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 — 47% task exposure — and the 0% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $24,091 debt-to-$30,122 income ratio translates to about 10 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #194 out of 205 programs, University of New Mexico-Main Campus's financial outcomes for Chemistry trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About University of New Mexico-Main Campus

University of New Mexico-Main Campus accepts 95% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 16,686 in Albuquerque, NM.

See all programs and financial aid at University of New Mexico-Main Campus →

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 New Mexico-Main Campus

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($89,498) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($82,216) Engineering Science ($64,405) Chemical Engineering ($62,907) Mechanical Engineering ($61,611) Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($57,714) Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions ($57,178) Dental Support Services and Allied Professions ($55,003)

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

How does University of New Mexico-Main Campus's Chemistry program score?
This program scores 36/100 — on the lower end for Chemistry. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Chemistry to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Chemistry careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 47% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Chemistry earnings lower at University of New Mexico-Main Campus?
Lower starting pay at University of New Mexico-Main Campus may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →