Chemical Engineering at University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown

Johnstown, PA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
70 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
72
Optimistic
70
Base Case
68
Pessimistic
Earnings $73,072/yr (1% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Large (30,300 openings/yr)
ROI 14.5x earnings multiple (8.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #81 of 158 Chemical Engineering programs

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 $887K $849K $734K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 15.1x 14.5x 12.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.4x 8.0x 6.9x
Probability of Field Employment 82% 74% 54%
DegreeOutlook Score 72 70 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)
$58,584
Out-of-state: $106,080 (8.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$75,808
-29% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,750
4.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$93,213
28% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $73,072/yr, roughly in line with the $72,288 national median for Chemical Engineering. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 14.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Chemical Engineering programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Chemical Engineering's typical career paths, with 48% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 17% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $73,072 far exceeding the $24,750 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #81 of 158 Chemical Engineering programs, University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $73,072 to $93,213 over five years — a 28% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown

University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown accepts 96% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a smaller institution with 1,934 students in Johnstown, PA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown →

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

Chemical Engineering at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Chemical Engineering at University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown?
This program scores 70/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Chemical Engineering programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Will AI replace Chemical Engineering careers?
With 48% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $734,020 in decade earnings vs $887,310 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →