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Chemistry at University of North Carolina Asheville

Asheville, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $36,891/yr (-11% vs median)

AI Risk High (47% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (169,700 openings/yr)

ROI 18.5x earnings multiple (5.6x out-of-state)

Ranked #124 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	$557K	$553K	$508K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	18.7x	18.5x	17.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.6x	5.6x	5.1x
Probability of Field Employment	57%	54%	38%
DegreeOutlook Score	55	54	55

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$29,844

Out-of-state: $99,236 (5.6x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$51,460

-72% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$12,825

4.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$55,189

50% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $36,891 track close to the $41,256 national median for Chemistry programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 18.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Chemistry programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Chemistry's typical career paths, with 47% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 9% gap from the optimistic case.

At $12,825 in median debt against $36,891 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #124 of 205 Chemistry programs, University of North Carolina Asheville falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $36,891 to $55,189 over five years — a 50% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of North Carolina Asheville

University of North Carolina Asheville has a 94% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a smaller student body of 2,790 in Asheville, NC.

See all programs and financial aid at University of North Carolina Asheville →

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

Chemistry at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of North Carolina Asheville

Consider the Trade Route?

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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Chemistry at University of North Carolina Asheville?

This program scores 54/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Chemistry programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.

Will AI replace Chemistry careers?

With 47% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $508,217 in decade earnings vs $556,631 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →